2-Digit Subtraction (No Regrouping)

• How subtraction means taking away or finding the difference.
• To subtract 2-digit (and 3-digit) numbers column-wise — ones under ones, tens under tens.
• When no regrouping (borrowing) is needed: each digit on top is equal to or bigger than the digit below it.
• Real-life links from NCERT Math Mela — sharing sweets, counting leftover fruits, and shop scenes.

Level 1 — Core idea

Verbal: 47 − 23 means starting with 47 and taking away 23.

Symbolic: 47 − 23 = 24.

Visual: Line up the numbers by place value:

  4 7
− 2 3
-----
  2 4

Subtract ones first (7 − 3 = 4), then tens (4 − 2 = 2).

Level 2 — Going deeper

Always subtract the smaller amount from the larger amount that is on top. Check that each column digit on top is not smaller than the one below — if it is, you will need to borrow (covered in the next topic).

NCERT anchor

NCERT Math Mela, Class 3 — Chapter 4 (Long and Short) and the Fun with Numbers chapter use column subtraction for lengths, scores, and shop bills.

A farm has 68 mangoes. 35 are packed in boxes. How many mangoes are left?

Step 1 — Write in columns:  6 8
                            − 3 5
Step 2 — Ones: 8 − 5 = 3
Step 3 — Tens: 6 − 3 = 3
Answer: 33 mangoes left

Find 486 − 152.

Step 1 — Ones: 6 − 2 = 4
Step 2 — Tens: 8 − 5 = 3
Step 3 — Hundreds: 4 − 1 = 3
Answer: 334

• What is 58 − 21?
• Subtract 234 from 468.
• A shop had 76 pens; 42 were sold. How many are left?
• Stretch: Why doesn't 47 − 23 need borrowing, but 42 − 27 does? (Compare the ones digits: 2 < 7, so 42 − 27 needs a borrow.)

Revision tip: Always check each column: if the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, you will need to borrow — that's the next skill to master!

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on 2-Digit Subtraction.