Solve Vertical Subtraction: 537 minus 216 Step-by-Step

Column Subtraction with Three-Digit Numbers

537216776 \begin{aligned} &537 \\ -& \\ &216 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

❤️ Continue Your Math Journey!

We have hundreds of course questions with personalized recommendations + Account 100% premium

Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations
00:00 Solve
00:03 Each time we subtract 2 digits, and then we place
00:06 We start by subtracting ones from ones, and place in ones
00:09 We subtract tens from tens, and place in tens
00:13 We subtract hundreds from hundreds, and place in hundreds
00:17 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

537216776 \begin{aligned} &537 \\ -& \\ &216 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this subtraction problem, we follow these straightforward steps:

  • Step 1: Arrange the numbers vertically, with the minuend (537) on top and the subtrahend (216) below it, aligning respective digits by placeholders (ones, tens, hundreds).
  • Step 2: Subtract digits starting from the rightmost column (units place). Subtract 6 from 7 to get 1.
  • Step 3: Move to the next column to the left (tens place). Subtract 1 from 3 to get 2.
  • Step 4: Move to the hundreds place, where 5 minus 2 equals 3.

Now, let's explain each step in detail:

Step 1: Align the numbers:
05372160??? \begin{array}{c} \phantom{0}537 \\ -216 \\ \hline \phantom{0}??? \\ \end{array}

Step 2: Start with the rightmost column (units). Subtract 6 from 7. As 7 is greater than 6, this is straightforward:
76=1 7 - 6 = 1

Step 3: Move to the tens column. Here, subtract 1 from 3. Again, since 3 is greater than 1:
31=2 3 - 1 = 2

Step 4: Now for the hundreds column. Subtract 2 from 5:
52=3 5 - 2 = 3

Putting it all together, we find that the result is 321.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 537216=321 537 - 216 = 321 .

3

Final Answer

321

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Alignment: Line up digits by place value columns (ones, tens, hundreds)
  • Technique: Subtract right to left: 7-6=1, 3-1=2, 5-2=3
  • Check: Add result to subtrahend: 321 + 216 = 537 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Misaligning digits by place value
    Don't subtract digits in wrong positions like treating 216 as 2-1-6 scattered = wrong answer like 535! This ignores place values completely. Always line up ones under ones, tens under tens, hundreds under hundreds.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

\( \begin{aligned} &15 \\ -& \\ &~~4 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned} \)

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why do I start subtracting from the right side?

+

We start from the ones column (rightmost) because that's where place value begins! Just like counting, we handle the smallest values first before moving to tens and hundreds.

What if the top number is smaller than the bottom number in a column?

+

Great question! When that happens, you need to borrow from the next column to the left. In this problem, all top digits were larger, so no borrowing was needed.

How can I check if my subtraction is correct?

+

Use addition to check! Add your answer to the number you subtracted: 321+216=537 321 + 216 = 537 . If you get the original top number, you're right!

Do I always subtract the smaller number from the larger number?

+

In vertical subtraction like this, you always subtract the bottom number from the top number, regardless of size. The top number is called the minuend, the bottom is the subtrahend.

What does it mean to align by place value?

+

Place value alignment means putting digits in the correct columns:

  • Ones place: rightmost column
  • Tens place: middle column
  • Hundreds place: leftmost column

This ensures you subtract the right amounts!

🌟 Unlock Your Math Potential

Get unlimited access to all 18 Arithmetic Operations questions, detailed video solutions, and personalized progress tracking.

📹

Unlimited Video Solutions

Step-by-step explanations for every problem

📊

Progress Analytics

Track your mastery across all topics

🚫

Ad-Free Learning

Focus on math without distractions

No credit card required • Cancel anytime

More Questions

Click on any question to see the complete solution with step-by-step explanations