Vertical Subtraction Practice Problems & Worksheets

Master vertical subtraction with borrowing through step-by-step practice problems. Learn the three essential rules and solve multi-digit subtraction exercises.

📚Practice Vertical Subtraction Problems
  • Apply the correct alignment rule: ones under ones, tens under tens
  • Master borrowing from the next digit when upper digit is smaller
  • Handle complex borrowing with zeros using the special transformation rule
  • Solve multi-digit subtraction problems step-by-step with confidence
  • Practice borrowing across multiple place values in challenging exercises
  • Build fluency with vertical subtraction through varied problem types

Understanding Vertical Subtraction

Complete explanation with examples

Vertical Subtraction

In order to solve vertical subtraction, we follow these rules:
First rule - write the problem in the correct order!
Ones digits under ones digits, tens digits under tens digits, and so on.
Second rule - when the upper digit is smaller than the lower digit - we borrow 11 from the next digit.
Third rule - a 00 that cannot be borrowed from becomes 99 until we reach a digit that is not 00 from which we can borrow 11.
Note! If there is a third 00 right after, it will become 88, if there is a fourth 00 right after, it will become 77, and so on.

Detailed explanation

Practice Vertical Subtraction

Test your knowledge with 33 quizzes

\( \begin{aligned} &178 \\ -& \\ &125 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned} \)

Examples with solutions for Vertical Subtraction

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

amp;157−amp;amp;    4amp;776‾amp; \begin{aligned} &157 \\ -& \\ &~~~~4 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the basic vertical subtraction problem where we subtract 4 from 157 step by step:

  • Step 1: Write the numbers in a vertical format, ensuring to align them by place values.
    157− 4776‾ \begin{array}{c} 157 \\ -\ 4 \\ \underline{\phantom{776}} \\ \end{array}

  • Step 2: Perform subtraction starting from the rightmost digit (the ones place).
    - Subtract 4 from 7 in the ones column, resulting in 3.

  • Step 3: Since the number being subtracted, 4, has no digit in the tens and hundreds places, bring down the remaining digits from 157. These are 5 in the tens place and 1 in the hundreds place.

Thus, the result of subtracting 4 from 157 is 153153.

Among the options provided, choice 2 is the correct answer, which states 153.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 153 153 .

Answer:

153

Video Solution
Exercise #2

amp;478−amp;amp;    2amp;776‾amp; \begin{aligned} &478 \\ -& \\ &~~~~2 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the subtraction problem by following these steps:

First, align the numbers vertically:

478−    2776‾ \begin{aligned} &478 \\ -& \\ &~~~~2 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Starting with the rightmost digits:

  • In the units place, subtract 22 from 88: 8−2=68 - 2 = 6.
  • Since there are no other digits from the subtrahend, bring down the remaining digits as they are.

This results in:

476 \begin{aligned} &476 \\ \end{aligned}

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 476476.

Answer:

476

Video Solution
Exercise #3

amp;105−amp;amp;    3amp;776‾amp; \begin{aligned} &105 \\ -& \\ &~~~~3 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the subtraction problem 105−3 105 - 3 :

Align the numbers vertically to ensure each digit is in the correct place value position:

  • Write 105 as:
    1amp;0amp;5 \begin{array}{c} 1 & 0 & 5 \\ \end{array}

  • Place 3 beneath 105 such that it aligns with the rightmost digit (units place):
    −amp;amp;3 \begin{array}{c} - & & 3 \\ \end{array}

  • Subtract each column starting from the rightmost side (units digit) to the left:

Step-by-step subtraction:

  • Units column: 5−3=2 5 - 3 = 2

  • Tens column: There is nothing to subtract with 0, so it remains 0 0 .

  • Hundreds column: Similarly, there is nothing to subtract, so it remains 1 1 .

Combine the results of these steps to find the answer:

The result of the subtraction 105−3=102 105 - 3 = 102 .

Therefore, the correct answer is 102 102 .

Answer:

102

Video Solution
Exercise #4

amp;37−amp;amp;25amp;776‾amp; \begin{aligned} &37 \\ -& \\ &25 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the subtraction problem 37−2537 - 25 using vertical subtraction:

  • Step 1: Align the numbers vertically:

           37−    25 \begin{array}{c} \ \ \ \ \ \ \ 37 \\ - \ \ \ \ 25 \\ \hline \end{array}

  • Step 2: Start with the rightmost column (units place):

    7−5=27 - 5 = 2

    Write 22 under the line in the units place.

  • Step 3: Move to the left column (tens place):

    3−2=13 - 2 = 1

    Write 11 under the line in the tens place. This gives us 1212 as the result.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 1212.

Answer:

12

Video Solution
Exercise #5

amp;578−amp;amp;    6amp;776‾amp; \begin{aligned} &578 \\ -& \\ &~~~~6 \\ &\underline{\phantom{776}} & \\ \end{aligned}

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve this subtraction problem step-by-step:

  • Step 1: Align the numbers vertically by place value, ensuring units are aligned under units.
  • Step 2: Start subtraction from the rightmost column (units column). Here, subtract 6 from 8 in the units place: 8−6=28 - 6 = 2.
  • Step 3: Since we have dealt with the units place, move one step to the left to the tens place. Here, subtract 0 (since nothing is being subtracted from this place after borrowing) from 7 in the tens place: 7−0=77 - 0 = 7.
  • Step 4: Finally, move to the hundreds place. Subtract 0 from 5 (again, no borrowing affects this place): 5−0=55 - 0 = 5.

After completing the steps, the subtraction gives us the result.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 572572.

Answer:

572

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the first rule of vertical subtraction?

+
The first rule is proper alignment: write ones digits under ones digits, tens under tens, hundreds under hundreds, and so on. Always place the first number in the problem at the top of your vertical setup.

When do I need to borrow in vertical subtraction?

+
You need to borrow when the upper digit is smaller than the lower digit you're subtracting from. For example, in 45 - 29, you can't subtract 9 from 5, so you borrow 1 from the tens place.

How do I borrow from a zero in vertical subtraction?

+
When borrowing from a zero, the zero becomes 9 and you continue borrowing from the next non-zero digit to the left. For example, in 500 - 365, the first 0 becomes 10, the second 0 becomes 9, and the 5 becomes 4.

What happens when there are multiple zeros in vertical subtraction?

+
With multiple consecutive zeros, each zero (except the rightmost one you're borrowing for) becomes 9 until you reach a non-zero digit. The pattern continues: third zero becomes 8, fourth becomes 7, and so on.

How do I check my vertical subtraction answer?

+
Add your answer to the bottom number (subtrahend). If correct, this sum should equal the top number (minuend). For example, if 87 - 54 = 33, then 33 + 54 should equal 87.

What are common mistakes in vertical subtraction with borrowing?

+
Common mistakes include: 1) Forgetting to reduce the digit you borrowed from, 2) Misaligning place values, 3) Not continuing the borrowing process through multiple zeros, and 4) Subtracting the smaller number from the larger regardless of position.

Why is vertical subtraction better than horizontal subtraction?

+
Vertical subtraction organizes complex multi-digit problems clearly by place value, making borrowing easier to track. It reduces errors in alignment and provides a systematic approach for solving problems like 5700 - 3786.

How do I solve vertical subtraction problems with 4 or more digits?

+
Follow the same three rules regardless of digit count: proper alignment, borrowing when needed, and handling zeros correctly. Work from right to left (ones to thousands), borrowing across place values as necessary.

More Vertical Subtraction Questions

Continue Your Math Journey

Suggested Topics to Practice in Advance

Topics Learned in Later Sections

Practice by Question Type