4- Digit Subtraction
2026-02-21 20:34 Diff
https://brightchamps.com/en-us/math/numbers/4-digit-subtraction

If the digits in the minuend are greater than or equal to the numbers in the subtrahend, we can perform the subtraction without regrouping or borrowing.

Consider this example: Subtract 1725 from 2947. 

Step 1: Align the numbers by their place values. Write the minuend (2947) above the subtrahend (1725) so that the ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands line up. This ensures we subtract the corresponding values. 
 

Step 2: Subtract the ones place, that is, the rightmost digit. Then the value will be 7 - 5 = 2. Write 2 in the ones column of the answer. 
We start subtraction from the rightmost place because any borrowing would come from the next column to the left. Here, as the minuend’s ones digit is greater than the subtrahend’s ones digit (7>5), no borrowing is needed. 
 

Step 3: Now, subtract the tens place: 4 - 2 = 2. Write 2 in the tens column of the answer, to the left of the ones digit. 
 

Step 4: Subtract the hundreds place, that is 9-7 = 2. And write 2 in the hundreds column. Here also, 9 > 7, therefore no borrowing is required. 
 

Step 5: Now, subtract the thousands place, that is, the leftmost digit. Here, the value will be 2 - 1 = 1. Write 1 in the thousands column. This final subtraction also requires no regrouping because 2 > 1.
 

Step 6: Write the final answer.
2947 − 1725 = 1222.
At each place like ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands, the digit in the minuend was greater than or equal to the corresponding digit in the subtrahend, so we subtracted directly in each column without any borrowing.