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Door 7 · Grade 2

🔢 Advanced Subtraction

Subtraction always works from right to left: always start in the Ones column

▶ Play Door 7

Advanced Subtraction

Subtraction is the mathematical operation of taking one number away from another to find the difference or see what is left over. In Grade 2, we move past basic counting backward to master multi-digit column alignment, regrouping across place value columns, and handling tricky zeros.
• Subtraction Facts Within 20 Fluently: Knowing basic mental subtraction facts instantly (such as 15 - 7 = 8 or 12 - 4 = 8) without needing to count down on your fingers.
• Subtracting Single-Digits from 2-Digit or 3-Digit Numbers: Taking a small value away from a larger number by tracking changes mainly in the Ones column (e.g., 348 - 6 = 342).
• Subtracting Two 2-Digit Numbers (Without Regrouping): Combining numbers where every digit in the top number is larger than or equal to the digit below it (e.g., 75 - 23 = 52). You just subtract column by column!
• Subtracting Two 2-Digit…

Worked example

Problem: Solve the vertical subtraction problem: 62 - 38.

  1. Align the digits into Tens (T) and Ones (O) columns vertically.
  2. Look at the Ones column: 2 - 8. Since 2 is smaller than 8, you cannot subtract directly. You must borrow.
  3. Go to the Tens column (6). Cross out the 6 and write 5 above it to show you are taking 1 ten away.
  4. Bring that 1 ten (10 ones) over to the Ones column. Add it to the 2 ones you already have: 10 + 2 = 12. Write 12 above the Ones column.
  5. Now subtract the Ones column:

Answer: 24