Subtract Tens

Subtracting Tens and Two-Digit Numbers

Joyful Mathematics 2 — Grouping and Sharing / Rani's Gift. Subtracting tens without regrouping matches column work in Grouping and Sharing.

To subtract multiples of 10 (10, 20, 30…) from two-digit numbers.
To subtract a two-digit number without regrouping (ones ≥ ones, tens ≥ tens).
Column method: subtract ones first, then tens.

Verbal: Subtract ones from ones, tens from tens — say each step aloud before writing the answer.

Symbolic: 68 − 34: ones 8 − 4 = 4, tens 6 − 3 = 3 → 34. Check: 34 + 34 = 68.

58 − 20 → subtract 2 tens from 5 tens → 38 (ones stay 8).

  47        47 − 23: ones 7−3=4, tens 4−2=2 → 24
− 23
  24

50 − 30 = 20 (5 tens − 3 tens).

If 47 − 23 = 24, then 24 + 23 = 47 ✓

₹65 − ₹20 spent on snacks = ₹45 left.

Find 68 − 34

Step 1 — Ones: 8 − 4 = 4
Step 2 — Tens: 6 − 3 = 3
Step 3 — Answer: 34
Check: 34 + 34 = 68 ✓

Mistake	Why	Fix
56 − 23 = 33 (subtract smaller from larger digit blindly)	Not aligning places	Match ones with ones
Dropping a ten when subtracting 40 from 52	Only subtracting ones	52 − 40 = 12, not 52 − 4
Writing difference digits reversed	24 as 42	Tens digit on left

Stretch: A shopkeeper had 90 bananas and sold 50. Write the subtraction and check with addition.

Revision tip: Line up tens under tens and ones under ones in a notebook column — never mix the places.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Subtracting Tens and Two-Digit Numbers.