Subtract 659 from 3008: Column Method Practice Problem

To solve this problem, we will subtract 659 from 3008 using borrowing in the subtraction process:

1. Line up the numbers with the larger number on top: $\begin{array}{c} \phantom{2}3008 \\ -659 \\ \end{array}$

2. Begin subtraction from the rightmost column (units place), where we have $8 - 9$. Since $8$ is smaller than $9$, we need to borrow.

3. Move to the tens place, which is also $0$. Since we cannot borrow from a $0$, move left to the hundreds place.

4. The hundreds place is also $0$, so continue to the thousands column, where we have $3$:

5. Decrease the $3$ to $2$ and make the hundreds column $10$. Now borrow from the hundreds column, turning it into $9$ and the tens column into $10$.

6. Finally, borrow $1$ from the tens column to assist the units column: $\begin{array}{c} {2939} \\ -~~~659 \\ \end{array}$ We can now do $18 - 9 = 9$.

7. Proceed to the tens column. $9 - 5 = 4$.

8. The hundreds column: $9 - 6 = 3$.

9. The thousands column: $2 - 0 = 2$.

Writing down the final subtraction gives us:

$\begin{array}{c} \phantom{2939}3008 \\ -~~~~~~~659 \\ \overline{\phantom{2939}2349} \\ \end{array}$

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 2349.