Subtracting Decimals | MathHelp.com

This lesson covers subtracting decimals. Students learn to subtract decimals by first lining up the decimal points, then subtracting the numbers by column. For example, to subtract 9.514 -- 1.6, first line up the decimal points, then subtract the digits the thousandths column, to get 4 - 0, or 4, then subtract the digits in the hundredths column, to get 1 -- 0, or 1, then subtract the digits in units column, by borrowing a 1 from the 9 in the units column (which leaves an 8 in the units column), to get 15 -- 6, or 9, then subtract the digits in the units column, to get 8 -- 1, or 7. So 9.514 -- 1.6 = 7.914.