Solve Vertical Subtraction: 7189 minus 2392

Q: Why can't I just subtract 9 from 8 in the tens column?

You can't subtract a larger number from a smaller number in subtraction! When 8 borrow from the hundreds column, making it 18 - 9 = 9.

Q: What happens to the hundreds column after I borrow?

After borrowing 1 from the hundreds column, it goes from 1 to 0. Since 0

Q: How do I keep track of all the borrowing?

Work one column at a time from right to left. Write small numbers above to show your borrowing: cross out the original digit and write the new reduced number.

Q: Can I check my subtraction answer?

Yes! Add your answer to the number you subtracted: $4797 + 2392$. If you get the original number (7189), your subtraction is correct!

Q: What if I need to borrow from a zero?

If you need to borrow from 0, you must keep borrowing left until you find a non-zero digit. Then work your way back, turning each 0 into 9 and reducing the non-zero digit by 1.

Q: Is there a pattern to borrowing in subtraction?

Yes! Always borrow 10 and reduce the lending digit by 1. For example: borrowing from 1 makes it 0, and the borrowing column gets +10 to its value.

Vertical Subtraction with Borrowing Steps

$\begin{aligned} &7189 \\ -& \\ &2392 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Solve

00:03 Each time subtract 2 digits, and then we'll place

00:06 Subtract ones from ones, and place in ones

00:09 8 is less than 9

00:14 Therefore we subtract 1 from hundreds, and add this amount to tens

00:19 That means now instead of 8 we'll have 18

00:24 Subtract tens from tens plus the ten

00:28 Place in tens

00:34 0 is less than 3

00:38 Therefore we subtract 1 from thousands, and add this amount to hundreds

00:45 That means now instead of 0 we'll have 10

00:49 Subtract hundreds from hundreds plus the hundred

00:53 Place in hundreds

00:56 Subtract thousands from thousands, and place in thousands

00:59 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution

Understand the problem

$\begin{aligned} &7189 \\ -& \\ &2392 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll use the vertical subtraction method, breaking down the problem into each column from right to left:

Step 1: Start with the rightmost column (units).

Units: $9 - 2 = 7$ .

Step 2: Move to the tens column.

Tens: As $8 - 9$ is not possible, regroup by borrowing 1 from the hundreds column, making it $18 - 9 = 9$ .

Step 3: Proceed to the hundreds column.

After borrowing, the hundreds column has $0 - 3$ (as it was reduced from 1), borrow from the thousands column: $10 - 3 = 7$ .

Step 4: Finally, calculate the thousands column.

After borrowing from the thousands, it is now $6 - 2 = 4$ .

Putting it all together, we find that:

$7189 - 2392 = 4797$ .

The correct answer is $4797$ .

Final Answer

4797

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Borrowing Rule: When top digit is smaller, borrow from next column
Column Technique: Start rightmost: 9-2=7, then borrow for 18-9=9
Check Answer: Add result to subtrahend: 4797+2392=7189 ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting to reduce the borrowed-from digit
Don't borrow 1 from hundreds without reducing it from 1 to 0 = wrong calculation! This leaves the hundreds column unchanged and gives incorrect results. Always reduce the digit you borrow from by 1.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

$\begin{aligned} &105 \\ -& \\ &~~~~3 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just subtract 9 from 8 in the tens column?

You can't subtract a larger number from a smaller number in subtraction! When 8 < 9, you must borrow from the hundreds column, making it 18 - 9 = 9.

What happens to the hundreds column after I borrow?

After borrowing 1 from the hundreds column, it goes from 1 to 0. Since 0 < 3, you need to borrow again from the thousands column, making it 10 - 3 = 7.

How do I keep track of all the borrowing?

Work one column at a time from right to left. Write small numbers above to show your borrowing: cross out the original digit and write the new reduced number.

Can I check my subtraction answer?

Yes! Add your answer to the number you subtracted: $4797 + 2392$ . If you get the original number (7189), your subtraction is correct!

What if I need to borrow from a zero?

If you need to borrow from 0, you must keep borrowing left until you find a non-zero digit. Then work your way back, turning each 0 into 9 and reducing the non-zero digit by 1.

Is there a pattern to borrowing in subtraction?

Yes! Always borrow 10 and reduce the lending digit by 1. For example: borrowing from 1 makes it 0, and the borrowing column gets +10 to its value.

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