Subtraction Within 10000

Grade 4 · mathematics · 100 practice problems · read aloud

🔊 Listen to this explanation

Subtraction Within 10,000

🧮 What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is taking one number away from another to find the difference. We use it all the time, like when we're figuring out how much money we have left after buying something or how many pages are left in a book.

📝 How to Subtract in 4 Easy Steps

Always line up your numbers by place value! Start from the ones place and move left.

  1. Step 1: Set it up. Write the bigger number on top of the smaller number. Make sure the ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands places are lined up.
  2. Step 2: Subtract the ones. Start on the right.
  3. Step 3: Regroup if needed. If the top digit is smaller, borrow from the next place to the left.
  4. Step 4: Move left. Continue subtracting each column, regrouping when necessary.

🔍 Let's Look at Some Examples

Example 1: No Regrouping

Solve 4,835 - 1,213

  4,835
– 1,213
  3,622

We simply subtract each column: 5-3=2, 3-1=2, 8-2=6, 4-1=3.

Example 2: With Regrouping (Borrowing)

Solve 3,524 - 1,768

  3,52144
– 1,7  6  8
  1,7  5  6

Step-by-step: In the ones place, 4 is smaller than 8. We regroup from the tens place. The 2 becomes 12 (after borrowing), and the 2 in the tens becomes 1. Then, 1 ten is smaller than 6 tens, so we regroup from the hundreds, and so on.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Forgetting to regroup: Always check if the top digit is smaller before you subtract.
  • Misaligned numbers: If your ones, tens, and hundreds aren't lined up, you'll subtract the wrong places!
  • Borrowing and forgetting to reduce: When you borrow from a number, don't forget to cross it out and write the new, smaller number above it.

💡 Tips & Tricks

  • Estimate First: Round the numbers. For 4,835 - 1,768, think "about 5,000 - 2,000 = 3,000." This helps you know if your final answer is reasonable.
  • Check Your Work: Add your answer to the number you subtracted. It should equal the original top number. (e.g., 1,756 + 1,768 = 3,524).
  • Zero is a Hero: When you have to borrow across a zero, remember that zero becomes 9 after you borrow from the next place over.

🎯 How to Practice

Get better by practicing a little every day!

  • Use worksheets or online math games focused on 4-digit subtraction.
  • Create your own problems and solve them.
  • Explain the steps to a parent or friend—teaching someone else is a great way to learn!

Practice problems

6 of the 100, worked through step by step — try them before opening the answer.

1 938 - 856 = ?

Hint: Subtract the ones first, then the tens, borrowing if needed.

Show the answer

Answer: 82

  1. Start with 938.
  2. Subtract 856: 938 - 856 = 82.

The answer is 82.

2 3276 - 868 = ?

Hint: Subtract the ones first, then the tens, borrowing if needed.

Show the answer

Answer: 2408

  1. Start with 3276.
  2. Subtract 868: 3276 - 868 = 2408.

The answer is 2408.

3 4527 - 1893 = ?

Hint: When subtracting large numbers, work from right to left, regrouping when needed. Remember that regrouping means borrowing from the next higher place value.

Show the answer

Answer: 2634

  1. Start with the ones place: 7 - 3 = 4
  2. Move to the tens place: 2 - 9 (can't do, so regroup from hundreds)
  3. After regrouping: 12 - 9 = 3 (hundreds place becomes 4 after regrouping)
  4. Move to the hundreds place: 4 - 8 (can't do, so regroup from thousands)
  5. After regrouping: 14 - 8 = 6 (thousands place becomes 3 after regrouping)
  6. Move to the thousands place: 3 - 1 = 2
  7. Combine all results: 2634

The answer is 2634.

4 4582 - 1297 = ?

Hint: When subtracting large numbers, align them by place value and subtract from right to left, regrouping when needed. For example, when subtracting 543 - 276, you would need to regroup from the tens place.

Show the answer

Answer: 3285

  1. Write the subtraction vertically with the larger number on top: 4582 - 1297
  2. Subtract the ones place: 2 - 7 (cannot do, so regroup from tens) Borrow 1 from the tens place: 8 becomes 7, and 2 becomes 12 12 - 7 = 5
  3. Subtract the tens place: 7 - 9 (cannot do, so regroup from hundreds) Borrow 1 from the hundreds place: 5 becomes 4, and 7 becomes 17 17 - 9 = 8
  4. Subtract the hundreds place: 4 - 2 = 2
  5. Subtract the thousands place: 4 - 1 = 3
  6. Combine the results: 3285

The answer is 3285.

5 2456 - 1387 = ?

Hint: When subtracting large numbers, start from the rightmost digit and work left, regrouping when needed. For example, in 543 - 276, you would need to regroup from the tens place.

Show the answer

Answer: 1069

  1. Write the problem vertically: 2456 - 1387
  2. Start with the ones place: 6 - 7, cannot do, so regroup from tens place. 5 tens become 4 tens, and 16 ones - 7 ones = 9 ones
  3. Move to tens place: 4 - 8, cannot do, so regroup from hundreds place. 4 hundreds become 3 hundreds, and 14 tens - 8 tens = 6 tens
  4. Move to hundreds place: 3 - 3 = 0 hundreds
  5. Move to thousands place: 2 - 1 = 1 thousand
  6. Combine the results: 1000 + 0 + 60 + 9 = 1069

The answer is 1069.

6 7524 - 3867 = ?

Hint: When subtracting large numbers, work from right to left, regrouping when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit. Remember that regrouping means borrowing from the next place value.

Show the answer

Answer: 3657

  1. Start with the ones place: 4 - 7, need to regroup from tens place
  2. Regroup from tens place: 2 tens becomes 1 ten, 4 ones becomes 14 ones. 14 - 7 = 7
  3. Move to tens place: 1 - 6, need to regroup from hundreds place
  4. Regroup from hundreds place: 5 hundreds becomes 4 hundreds, 1 ten becomes 11 tens. 11 - 6 = 5
  5. Move to hundreds place: 4 - 8, need to regroup from thousands place
  6. Regroup from thousands place: 7 thousands becomes 6 thousands, 4 hundreds becomes 14 hundreds. 14 - 8 = 6
  7. Move to thousands place: 6 - 3 = 3
  8. Combine the results: 3 thousands, 6 hundreds, 5 tens, 7 ones = 3657

The answer is 3657.

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