Verify Decimal Subtraction: Is 88.100 - 88.101 Properly Aligned?

Q: Why can't I just line up the numbers from the right like with whole numbers?

With decimals, place value position matters more than the number of digits. The decimal point shows where whole numbers end and fractions begin, so it must always be your alignment guide.

Q: What if one number has more decimal places than the other?

Add trailing zeros to make them equal! For example, $ 5.2 - 3.47 $ becomes $ 5.20 - 3.47 $ for easier alignment.

Q: Does it matter if I have extra zeros at the end?

No! $ 88.100 $ and $ 88.1 $ are the same value. Adding trailing zeros actually helps with alignment and makes subtraction clearer.

Decimal Alignment with Subtraction Verification

Determine whether the exercise is correctly written or not.

The position of the decimal point corresponds.

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Step-by-step video solution

Watch the teacher solve the problem with clear explanations

00:00 Determine if the decimal point position is correct?

00:04 We'll use long subtraction to find the position of the decimal point

00:07 In long subtraction, the decimal point must be aligned one above the other

00:11 In our exercise, the decimal point is aligned one above the other

00:15 And secondly, we can see that the number we want to subtract

00:18 is not larger than the number we're subtracting from

00:23 The number is smaller, therefore the result will be negative

00:40 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

Determine whether the exercise is correctly written or not.

The position of the decimal point corresponds.

Step-by-step solution

To determine if the exercise is correctly written, let's ensure the decimal points are aligned properly in the subtraction problem. We have:

Top number: $88.100$
Bottom number: $88.101$

We verify that each digit is aligned according to its place value:

The units column aligns ( $8$ above $8$ ).
The tenths, hundredths, and thousandths columns align ( $0$ above $1$ ).
The decimal points are directly above one another.

Since the digits and decimal points are aligned properly according to the rules of subtracting decimal numbers, we can conclude that the setup of the exercise is correct. Therefore, the assertion that "the position of the decimal point corresponds" is True.

In conclusion, the exercise is correctly written regarding the alignment of the decimal point.

Final Answer

True

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Alignment Rule: Decimal points must line up vertically for accurate subtraction
Technique: Check each place value column: 88.100 above 88.101 aligns properly
Verification: Units align (8 above 8), decimal points stack, all columns match ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Ignoring decimal point alignment
Don't line up numbers by their right edges like whole numbers = incorrect place values! This causes tens to subtract from ones, creating wrong answers. Always align decimal points vertically first, then check each column.

Practice Quiz

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Choose the correct writing form:

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just line up the numbers from the right like with whole numbers?

With decimals, place value position matters more than the number of digits. The decimal point shows where whole numbers end and fractions begin, so it must always be your alignment guide.

What if one number has more decimal places than the other?

Add trailing zeros to make them equal! For example, $5.2 - 3.47$ becomes $5.20 - 3.47$ for easier alignment.

How do I know if my decimal subtraction setup is correct?

Check three things: 1) Decimal points line up vertically, 2) Each column has digits from the same place value, 3) You can draw a straight line through all decimal points.

Does it matter if I have extra zeros at the end?

No! $88.100$ and $88.1$ are the same value. Adding trailing zeros actually helps with alignment and makes subtraction clearer.

What happens if I don't align the decimal points correctly?

You'll subtract wrong place values! For example, subtracting tenths from hundredths instead of tenths from tenths. This gives completely wrong answers that don't make sense.

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