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Column addition and subtraction
Lesson 6 of 12

Column subtraction with exchange

Objective. Subtract two-digit numbers, exchanging a ten when needed.

The key idea

If the top ones digit is too small, exchange one ten for ten ones before subtracting.

Worked example

Calculate 62 − 27.

-94183144587127
Number line from -9 to 71 with a jump of 27 backwards from 62
  1. 12 − 7 is not possible, so exchange a ten: 62 becomes 50 and 12.
  2. 212 − 7 = 5.
  3. 350 − 20 = 30.

Answer: 35

Practice

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