Subtract 4 5 Digit Numbers Notes & Questions | Class 5 Mathematics | Drishti OS

Subtract 4 5 Digit Numbers

What you'll learn

To subtract two 4-digit or 5-digit numbers by arranging them place by place.
To borrow (regroup) from the next higher place whenever the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit.
To check a subtraction answer by adding the answer back to the number subtracted.

Key concepts

Level 1 — Arranging the numbers

Write the larger number on top, matching ones under ones, tens under tens, hundreds under hundreds, and so on.

Th	H	T	O
7	4	3	2
2	1	5	8

Level 2 — Borrowing (regrouping)

Verbal: If the top digit in a column is smaller than the bottom digit, borrow 1 group of 10 from the column to its left.

Symbolic: 7,432 − 2,158: ones (2−8) needs a borrow, so tens becomes 12, tens digit becomes 2.

Step	Column	Working
1	Ones	12 − 8 = 4 (borrowed 1 ten)
2	Tens	2 − 5 needs borrow → 12 − 5 = 7
3	Hundreds	3 − 1 = 2
4	Thousands	6 − 2 = 4

Answer: 7,432 − 2,158 = 5,274.

Level 3 — Checking your answer

Rule: difference + smaller number = larger number.

5,274 + 2,158 = 7,432 ✓

Worked example

Find 54,321 − 28,765

Step 1 — Ones: 1 − 5, borrow → 11 − 5 = 6
Step 2 — Tens: 1 − 6, borrow → 11 − 6 = 5
Step 3 — Hundreds: 2 − 7, borrow → 12 − 7 = 5
Step 4 — Thousands: 3 − 8, borrow → 13 − 8 = 5
Step 5 — Ten-thousands: 4 − 2 = 2
Answer: 25,556

Check: 25,556 + 28,765 = 54,321 ✓

Common mistakes

Mistake	Why it happens	Fix
Subtracting the smaller digit from the larger in a column (ignoring order)	Forgetting which number is on top	Always subtract bottom digit from top digit; borrow if needed
Forgetting to reduce the column you borrowed from	Only adding 10 to the current column	Reduce the left column by 1 after every borrow
Misaligning digits of different place value	Not lining up place values	Write numbers in a place-value grid before subtracting

Quick check

8,463 − 3,275 = ?
40,502 − 18,764 = ?
Check your answer to 25,326 − 9,148 by adding back.
Stretch: 90,000 − 45,678 = ?

Revision tip: Say the borrow out loud — "I can't take 8 from 2, so I borrow 1 ten" — until it becomes automatic.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Subtract 4 5 Digit Numbers.

Subtract 4 5 Digit Numbers