Subtracting Large Numbers
Subtracting big numbers is just like subtracting small numbers - just with more digits!
When working with numbers in the millions, we use the same subtraction rules but pay extra attention to place value. Remember to subtract from right to left, and don't forget about borrowing when needed!
Subtraction Steps
1️⃣ Line up the numbers by place value (ones under ones, tens under tens, etc.)
2️⃣ Subtract each column starting from the right (ones place)
3️⃣ Borrow when needed if the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Money Subtraction
Imagine you have $2,456,789 and spend $1,234,567. How much money do you have left?
After subtracting, you have $1,222,222 left!
Example 2: Population Subtraction
A city had 5,678,901 people. After some moved away, there were 3,456,789 people left. How many people moved away?
2,222,112 people moved away from the city!
Parent Tips 🌟
- Use real-world examples: Show how subtraction works with large numbers in contexts like money, distances, or populations to make it more meaningful.
- Break it down: If your child struggles with borrowing across multiple zeros (like in 1,000,000 - 1), practice with smaller numbers first (1000 - 1) to build confidence.
- Make it visual: Use graph paper to keep numbers neatly aligned, or draw place value charts to help visualize the borrowing process.