Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies
Two-digit subtraction
Take the tens first, then the ones.
How to do it
Method
Take the tens first, then the ones
63 − 28 = 63 − 20 − 8 = 43 − 8 = 35
Another way
Column subtraction
Ones: borrow a ten, 13 − 8 = 5; tens 5 − 2 = 3 → 35
In full
63 − 28 → tens first, 63−20=43, then ones, 43−8=35. Or shift both up by 2 → 65 − 30 = 35 and the borrow disappears. The gap doesn't change: that's subtraction's most useful property. Column subtraction with a borrow works too; the answer is the same.
Worked examples
Have a go first, then open each one for the answer and the working.
Example 1
46 − 27
Show the answer and working
Answer: 46 − 27 = 19
Left to right, take away the tens first: 46 − 20 = 26, then the ones: 26 − 7 = 19
Example 2
60 − 44
Show the answer and working
Answer: 60 − 44 = 16
Left to right, take away the tens first: 60 − 40 = 20, then the ones: 20 − 4 = 16
Example 3
71 − 16
Show the answer and working
Answer: 71 − 16 = 55
Left to right, take away the tens first: 71 − 10 = 61, then the ones: 61 − 6 = 55
Example 4
33 − 23
Show the answer and working
Answer: 33 − 23 = 10
Left to right, take away the tens first: 33 − 20 = 13, then the ones: 13 − 3 = 10
Practise two-digit subtraction in the game →Stage 2 · Add & subtract strategies · Free to start, unlimited questions, no download