Subtract 1789 - 793: Vertical Format Solution Guide

$\begin{aligned} &1789 \\ -& \\ &~~793 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

To solve this problem, we'll carry out vertical subtraction by following these steps:

• Step 1: Write the minuend and subtrahend vertically aligned, ensuring each digit stands in its respective column.
• Step 2: Start subtracting from the rightmost column (units) and move leftwards, managing any requisite borrowing.

Let's execute the subtraction:

Step 1: Begin with the units column.

$9 - 3 = 6$

Step 2: Move to the tens column.

$8 - 9$

Since 8 is smaller than 9, we need to borrow 1 from the hundreds column, changing 8 to 18:

$18 - 9 = 9$

Step 3: Move to the hundreds column. Since we've borrowed 1, adjust accordingly.

$6 - 7$

Here, we again need to borrow from the thousands column making it 16:

$16 - 7 = 9$

Step 4: In the thousands column, after borrowing, we have:

$1 - 0 = 0$

Thus, compiling the subtractions, we are left with the final solution:

$996$

Therefore, the solution to the subtraction problem $1789 - 793$ is $996$, which corresponds to choice 2.