Subtract 499 from 686: Vertical Format Arithmetic Problem

Q: Why can't I just subtract the smaller number from the larger number in each column?

Because subtraction has a specific order! You must subtract the bottom number from the top number in each column. If you switch them around, you'll get a completely different (and wrong) answer.

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

When borrowing from 0, you need to keep borrowing left until you find a non-zero digit. For example, in 500 - 299, borrow from the hundreds place to make it 4, turn the tens into 10, then borrow from that 10.

Q: Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! You can use addition to verify: $187 + 499$ should equal $686$. You can also use a calculator or estimate: $686 - 499$ is close to $700 - 500 = 200$.

Q: What happens if I forget to borrow?

You'll get negative numbers or impossible results! For example, trying $6 - 9$ without borrowing would give you -3 in the ones place, which doesn't make sense for basic subtraction.

Vertical Subtraction with Borrowing

$\begin{aligned} &686 \\ -& \\ &499\\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

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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 we consider a shortage of 2 digits, and then we'll place

00:06 6 is less than 9

00:13 Therefore we subtract 1 from the tens and add this amount to the ones

00:17 So now instead of 6 we will have 16

00:20 We subtract the ones from the ones plus ten

00:24 We place in the ones

00:30 7 is less than 9

00:36 Therefore we subtract 1 from the hundreds and add this amount to the tens

00:42 So now instead of 7 we will have 17

00:46 We subtract the tens from the tens plus ten

00:51 We place in the tens

00:55 We subtract hundreds from hundreds, and place in the hundreds

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

$\begin{aligned} &686 \\ -& \\ &499\\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}$

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow the vertical subtraction method:

First, subtract the ones place: $6 - 9$ . Since $6$ is less than $9$ , we need to borrow from the tens place.
Turn $8$ in the tens place of $686$ into $7$ , and the ones place becomes $16$ .
Now subtract the ones place: $16 - 9 = 7$ .
Then subtract the tens place: $7 - 9$ . Again, we need to borrow.
Turn $6$ in the hundreds place of $686$ into $5$ , and the tens place becomes $17$ .
Subtract the tens: $17 - 9 = 8$ .
Finally, subtract the hundreds place: $5 - 4 = 1$ .

Therefore, the result of the subtraction $686 - 499$ is $187$ .

Final Answer

187

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Borrowing Rule: When top digit is smaller, borrow from the next column
Technique: Turn 8 into 7, making 6 become 16 for subtraction
Check: Add your answer to the subtracted number: $187 + 499 = 686$ ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Forgetting to reduce the borrowed-from digit
Don't just add 10 to the smaller digit without reducing the next column = wrong calculations throughout! When you borrow 1 from the tens place, you must reduce 8 to 7. Always remember that borrowing means taking 1 from the left column and adding 10 to the current column.

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 can't I just subtract the smaller number from the larger number in each column?

Because subtraction has a specific order! You must subtract the bottom number from the top number in each column. If you switch them around, you'll get a completely different (and wrong) answer.

What if I need to borrow from a zero?

When borrowing from 0, you need to keep borrowing left until you find a non-zero digit. For example, in 500 - 299, borrow from the hundreds place to make it 4, turn the tens into 10, then borrow from that 10.

How do I know when I need to borrow?

Borrow whenever the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit in any column. In this problem, 6 < 9 in ones place and 7 < 9 in tens place, so we borrowed twice.

Can I check my answer a different way?

Yes! You can use addition to verify: $187 + 499$ should equal $686$ . You can also use a calculator or estimate: $686 - 499$ is close to $700 - 500 = 200$ .

What happens if I forget to borrow?

You'll get negative numbers or impossible results! For example, trying $6 - 9$ without borrowing would give you -3 in the ones place, which doesn't make sense for basic subtraction.

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