Subtraction

SUBTRACTION

Subtraction, among the four basic operations is the operation where there are
maximum chances of making mistakes. Most of us do mistakes in borrowing, so it is
recommended to change the method of borrowing to giving which would be taught
later, in which subtraction is done from left to right instead of right to left.

Subtraction of Single Big Digit from Any Number

Subtraction of 9 from Any Number.

ab
–9 .
(a – 1) / (b + 1)

Method:–
When you subtract 9 from any number, digit at ten’s place decreases by 1 and digit
at unit’s place increases by 1. In above example,
a = digit at ten’s place,
b = digit at unit’s place.
When we subtract 9 to above number a b
▪ a becomes a – 1 and
▪ b becomes b + 1.

Solved Examples:–

A. 67
–9
58 (8 = 7 + 1)

(5 = 6 – 1)

Method:–
Here when we subtract 9 from 67, digit at ten’s place (6) decreases by 1 (i.e. 6 – 1= 5)
and digit at unit’s place (7) increases by 1 (i.e. 7 + 1 = 8) and hence the solution is 58.

Author: Dr. Devang Shah Page 1

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B. 78
–9
69 (9 = 8 + 1)

(6 = 7 – 1)

Method:–
Here when we subtract 9 from78, digit at ten’s place (7) decreases by 1 (i.e. 7 – 1 = 6)
and digit at unit’s place (8) increases by 1 (i.e. 8 + 1 = 9) and hence the solution is 69.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 84 B. 97 C. 262
–9 –9 –9
75 (5 = 4 + 1) 88 (8 = 7 + 1) 25 3 (3 = 2 + 1)

(7 = 8 – 1) (8 = 9 – 1) (25 = 26 – 1)

Practice:–
A. 2 3 B. 168 C. 77
–9 –9 –9

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 Subtraction

Subtraction of 8 from Any Number

ab
–8 .
(a – 1) / (b + 2)

Method:–
When you subtract 8 from any number, digit at ten’s place decreases by 1 and digit
at unit’s place increases by 2. Here ‘a’ i.e. digit at ten’s place becomes (a – 1) and ‘b’
i.e. digit at unit’s place becomes (b + 2).

Solved Example:–

A. 56
–8
48 (8 = 6 + 2)

(4 = 5 – 1)

Method:–
When you subtract 8 from 56, digit at ten’s place (5) decreases by 1 (i.e. 5 – 1 = 4)
and digit at unit’s place (6) increases by 2 (i.e. 6 + 2 = 8) and the solution we get is
48.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 75 B. 6 4 C. 52
–8 –8 –8
67 (7 = 5 + 2) 56 (6 = 4 + 2) 44 (4 = 2 + 2)

(6 = 7 – 1) (5 = 6 – 1) (4 = 5 – 1)

Practice:–
A. 5 7 B. 3 4 C. 26
–8 –8 –8

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Subtraction of 7 from Any Number

ab
–7 .
(a – 1) / (b + 3)

Method:–
When you subtract 7 from any number, digit at ten’s place decreases by 1 and digit
at unit’s place increases by 3. Here ‘a’ i.e. digit at ten’s place becomes (a – 1) and b
i.e. digit at unit’s place becomes (b + 3).

Solved Example:–

A. 76
–7
69 (9 = 6 + 3)

(7 = 6 – 1)

Method:–
When you subtract 7 to 76, digit at ten’s place (7) decreases by 1 (i.e. 7 – 1 = 6) and
digit at unit’s place increases by 3 (i.e. 6 + 3 = 9) and solution comes to 69.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 7 4 B. 56 C. 12 5
–7 –7 –7
6 7 (7 = 4 + 3) 49 (9 = 6 + 3) 11 8 (8 = 5 + 3)

(6 = 7 – 1) (5 = 4 – 1) (11 = 12 – 1)

Practice:–
A. 73 B. 32 C. 46
–7 –7 –7

Thus subtracting 9, 8, 7 from any number becomes very easy, just you have to do is
▪ Decrease ten’s digit by 1.
▪ Increase unit’s digit by 1, 2 and 3 respectively for 9, 8, and 7.

Note: This method is not applicable for 9 when unit’s place is 9, for 8 when unit’s
place is 9, 8 and for 7 when unit’s place is 9, 8, 7 of the number. During the given
conditions where the above subtraction method is not applicable, it is already very
easy to calculate.

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Subtracting Any Number from Power Of 10

10000
–abcd .
(9–a)/ (9–b) / (9–c)/ (10–d)

Method:–
When we have to subtract any number from the power of 10 i.e. 10, 100, 1000, 10000
etc, we have to Subtract All Digits from 9 And Last Digit From 10. This method is
called as Nikhilam method in Vedic mathematics and after simplification the answer
we get is called as Nikhilam. This method is useful while solving certain
multiplications and divisions so it becomes necessary to learn it properly.

Here in the above example abcd is a four digit number which is to be

subtracted from 10000, thus following the above method,

▪ All other digits (a, b, c) leaving last digit (d) are subtracted from 9 i.e. (9 – a) /
(9 – b) / (9 – c).
▪ Last digit (d) is subtracted from 10 i.e. (10 – d).

Solved Example:–

A. 1000
–297 .
(9 – 2) / (9 – 9) / (10 – 7)

=703
Method:–
When 297 is subtracted from 1000, we have to subtract all digits leaving last digit by
9 i.e. (9 – 2) & (9 – 9) and last digit by 10 i.e. (10 – 7). Thus answer comes 703.
Number of zeroes in 10th power should be equal to digits in given number to be
subtracted, otherwise necessary changes is required as shown below,

B. 10000 = 10000
–297 –0297 .
(9 – 0) / (9 – 2) / (9 – 9) / (10 – 7)

=9703

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Method:–
Here number of zeroes in 10th power i.e.10,000 is not equal to digits in number i.e.
297 which is to be subtracted, therefore we make number of zeroes in 10,000 (i.e. 4 )
and digits in number in 297 equal by adding 0 before the number to be subtracted.
Thus now 0297 is to be subtracted from 10,000.
When 0297 is subtracted from 10,000, we have to subtract all digits
leaving last digit by 9 i.e. (9 – 0), (9 – 2) & (9 – 9) and last digit by 10 i.e. (10 – 7).
Thus the solution comes to be 9703.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 10000 – 3125
= (9 – 3) / (9 – 1) / (9 – 2) / (10 – 5)
= 6 8 7 5.

B. 1000 – 85
= 1000 – 085
= (9 – 0) / (9 – 8) / (10 – 5)
= 915.

C. 1000000 – 21956
= 1000000 – 021956
= (9 – 0) / (9 – 2) / (9 – 1) / (9 – 9) / (9 – 5) / (10 – 6)
= 978044.

All above examples to be practiced orally, only for better understanding various
steps are shown above.

Practice:–

1. 1000 – 232 =
2. 10,000 – 232 =
3. 10, 00,000 – 232 =

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Subtraction from Left to Right.

Method:–
Traditional way of subtraction is the way, we generally practice where subtraction is
done from right to left and borrowing is required when upper digit is smaller than
the lower digit. Here in this technique we approach different course, where
subtraction is done from left to right and also we lend or give instead of borrowing
when upper digit is smaller than the lower digit.

Type 1
Solved Example:–

A. 2 918 4
–1293
1691

Method:–
1. We have to compare all upper digits (2, 9, 8 & 4) with corresponding lower
digits (1, 2, 9 & 3) and check out whether any of the lower digit is more
than upper digit or not. If any of the lower digit is more than upper digit
then place 1 before corresponding upper digit.
2. Here in the above example: – 2 > 1, 9 > 2, 8 < 9, 4 > 3. Since, the lower
digit (9) is more than the upper digit (8), we need to place 1 before
corresponding upper digit (8), so that we can consider it as 18 instead of 8.
3. Actual subtraction begins now from left to right as follow: –
▪ 2 – 1 = 1,
▪ 9 – 2 = 7, but 1 is already given previously, before 8 in the third
column, so we have to subtract 1 from 7, which comes to 6,
▪ Now 18 – 9 = 9, (since we have placed 1 before 8, 8 becomes 18),
▪ 4 – 3 = 1.
Thus the solution comes to 1691 without traditional method of borrowing which
gives more accuracy to the answer.

B. 314 1 4 21413
–18010 54
16131 89

Method:–
1. Comparing all upper digits (3, 4, 1, 4, 2, 4 & 3) with corresponding lower
digits (1, 8, 0, 1, 0, 5 & 4), we find that: –3 > 1, 4 < 8, 1 > 0, 4 > 1, 2 > 0, 4 < 5,
3 < 4.

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2. When the lower digit is more than the upper digit, we need to place 1 before
corresponding upper digit. So now in the above example 1 is placed before 4
(2nd column), 4 (6th column) & 3 (7th column) so that they could be considered
as 14, 14 and 13 instead of 4, 4 and 3 respectively.
3. Actual subtraction begins now from left to right as follow: –
▪ 3 – 1 = 2, but 1 is already given to 4 in the second column, so we have
to reduce 1 from 2 that comes to 1,
▪ 14 – 8 = 6, (since 1 placed before 4, 4 to be considered as 14)
▪ 1 – 0 = 1,
▪ 4 – 1 = 3,
▪ 2 – 0 = 2, but 1 is already given to 4 in sixth column, so we have to
reduce 1 from 2 that comes to 1,
▪ 14 – 5 = 9, (since 1 placed before 4, 4 to be considered as 14) also 1 is
given to 3 in seventh column so reducing 1 from 9 that comes to 8,
▪ 13 – 4 = 9.
Thus the answer comes to 1613189. Since we exclude borrowing method from above
it becomes very easy to work out.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 31112 5 9 7 B. 51112 811 9 715 3 4 2

–128432 –378 24 358131
184165 134 57 617211

C. 4 5 9 81716 4131811 9131211 516

–318487 34 9454 384 9
141389 08 8738 830 7

Practice:–
A. 3 1 2 9 5 B. 219532 C. 4198521731
–20841 –184043 –3084217820

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Type 2

Method:–
When upper digit is less than corresponding lower digit we have to place 1 before
that upper digit and in contrary when the upper digit is more than lower digit no
changes to be done. But when upper digit and lower digit both are same what to do?

When digits in a column (i.e. upper digit and its corresponding lower digit) are
same then look forward to next column on the right, here if upper digit is less than
lower digit, place 1 before both upper digits and if upper digit is more than lower
digit no change is required in both upper digits.
Solved Example:–

A. 21113 7
–1 1 4 2
0995

Method:–
1. Comparing all upper digits (2, 1, 3 & 7) with corresponding lower digits (1, 1,
4 & 2), we find that: – 2 > 1, 1 = 1, 3 < 4, 7 > 2.
2. Since in second column both upper digit and lower digit are same (i.e. 1) we
have to look forward to the next column i.e. third column from left.
3. In third column upper digit (3) is less than corresponding lower digit (4), so
now we have to place 1 place both upper digits in second column and third
column i.e. 1 & 3.
4. After placing 1 subtraction to be done in same manner from left to right as
shown in type 1 as follow:–.
▪ 2 – 1 = 1, but 1 already given to next column so we have to reduce 1 from 1
that comes to 0.
▪ 11 – 1 = 10, but 1 already given to next column so we have to reduce 1 from
10 that comes to 9.
▪ 13 – 4 = 9, (1 is placed before 3, so now it is considered as 13 instead of 3).
▪ 7 – 2 = 5.
Thus the answer comes to 0995. By practicing little you can achieve high speed of
subtraction with accuracy.

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B. 2137
–1122
1015

Method:–
1. Comparing all upper digits (2, 1, 3 & 7) with corresponding lower digits (1, 1,
2 & 2), we find that: – 2 > 1, 1 = 1, 3 > 2, 7 > 2.
2. Since in second column both upper digit and lower digit are same (i.e. 1) we
have to look forward to the next column i.e. third column from left.
3. Here in third column upper digit (3) is more than corresponding lower digit
(2), so no changes to be done in any of the column and subtraction to be
carried out in usual manner from left to right.

C. 2151513 4
–15 582
09 952

Method:–
1. Comparing all upper digits (2, 5, 5, 3 & 4) with corresponding lower digits (1,
5, 5, 8 & 2), we find that, 2 > 1, 5 = 5, 5 = 5, 3 < 8, 4 > 2.
2. Since in second column both upper digit and lower digit are same (i.e. 5) we
have to look forward to the next column i.e. third column from left.
3. Since in third column both upper digit and lower digit are same (i.e. 5) we
have to look forward to the next column i.e. fourth column from left.
4. In fourth column upper digit (3) is less than corresponding lower digit (8), so
now we have to place 1 before all upper digits in second column, third column
and fourth column i.e. 5, 5 & 3. Now subtraction to be carried out in usual
manner from left to right as explained before.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 2151113 B. 114 2 1 C. 3 511 7 5 8

–1587 –0510 –213706
0926 0911 138052

D. 113 8 5 7 211 6 8 E. 3111518171219173 0

–68521432 –215 872 9820
070050736 099 999 9910

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Practice:–
A. 2 4 9 8 2 3 B. 51281976 C. 617389426
–134703 –21785342 –217480423
.

D. 31489546 E. 942895898724 F. 6199534537855

–21289623 –312875676821 –1 3 7 8 4 1 2 2 9 8 1 4 2
.

By Subtraction and By Addition

Method:–
This Method is particularly applicable when one of the number in subtraction is
near round figure i.e. 10, 20...100, 200....1000 etc. If suppose we have to subtract 223
– 48, it is more convenient to subtract 223 – 50 = 173 and then add 2 to the answer,
to attain final answer as 175. Thus the method is called as by subtraction and by
addition, since we have to subtract more quantity first and then add the same
accordingly to get the correct answer.

Solved Example:–

A. 367 – 46 = 367 – 50 + 4 = 321.

Method:–
In above example instead of subtracting 46 from 367, subtracting 50 from 367 and
adding 4 to answer is an easy way to calculate. This method is very much useful for
doing mental subtraction where atleast one number is near round figure.

B. 4932 – 3997 = 4932 – 4000 +3 = 935.

Method:–
In above example instead of subtracting 3997 from 4932, subtracting 4000 from 4932
and then adding 3 to the answer is an easy way to calculate.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 312 – 289 = 312 – 300 +11 = 23

B. 23491 – 19980 = 23491 – 20000 + 20 = 3511.

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Practice:–
(Calculate mentally)

A. 267 – 193 = B. 4764 – 599 =

C. 4125 – 3992 = C. 698178 – 499970 =

Mental Subtraction

This method is called as method of equal additions. It is little bit similar to previous
type but works on different concept. It is well known that addition is much quicker
than subtraction and hence subtraction using the method of addition could be
utilized for fast mental calculations.

Method:–
Suppose we have to subtract one number from another, mentally increase the
number to be subtracted to the nearest multiple of 10, 100, 1000 etc, i.e. round
figure. Since this is the method of equal addition we have to also increase the other
quantity by the same amount mentally. Now the problem becomes much easier to
calculate.

Solved Example:–

A. 82 – 67 = (82 + 3) – (67 + 3) = 85 – 70 = 15.

Method:–
Suppose we have to subtract 67 from 82, mentally increase the number to be
subtracted (67) to the nearest multiple of 10 i.e. round figure. Thus we increase 67 to
70 by adding 3 to it. Since this is the method of equal addition we also have to
increase the other quantity (82) by the same amount mentally. Thus 82 is increased
to 85 by adding 3. Now actual problem comes to 85 – 70 = 15 which is very easy to
calculate.

B. 734 – 492 = (734 +8) – (492 + 8) = 742 – 500 = 242.

Method:–
Suppose we have to subtract 492 from 734, mentally increase the number to be
subtracted (492) to the nearest multiple of 100 i.e. round figure. Thus we increase
492 to 500 by adding 8 to it. Since this is the method of equal addition we also have
to increase the other quantity (734) by the same amount mentally. Thus 734 is

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increased to 742 by adding 8. Now actual problem comes to 742 – 500 = 242 which is
very easy to calculate.

Some Other Examples:–

A. 7654 – 595 = (7654 + 5) – (595 + 5) = 7659 – 600 = 7059.

B. 65715 – 1925 = (65715 + 75) – (1925 + 75) = 65790 – 2000 = 63790.

Practice:–
(Calculate mentally)

A. 534 – 87 = B. 7652 – 45 = C. 87234 – 988 = .

D. 1234 – 890 = E. 54654 – 2975 = .

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Verification Method for Subtraction.

Digital root of negative number: -

Digital root of a negative number is the number that is complement of 9, which
means the negative number is to be subtracted from 9. For example

▪ Digital root of ( – 2) = 9 – 2 = 7,
▪ Digital root of ( – 4) = 9 – 4 = 5,
▪ Digital root of ( – 8) = 9 – 8 = 1,
▪ Digital root of ( – 5) = 9 – 5 = 4,
▪ Digital root of ( – 3) = 9 – 3 = 6.

Method:–
Digital root

X O O – P = Q;
–Y P Digital Root of Q = A.
Z B

If A = B then only X – Y = Z is correct.

▪ First find digital root of the numbers (X and Y) individually which are in the
subtraction operation. Let’s name it as O and P respectively for digital roots
of X and Y
▪ Subtract digital root of Y i.e. P from digital root of X i.e. O to get an answer
(Q).
▪ Also remove digital root of the achieved answer (Q), let’s name it as A.
▪ Remove digital root of the solution (Z) achieved by subtracting Y from X, let’s
name it as B.
▪ If A = B, then only the answer is correct. Thus we can verify any subtraction
operation.
▪ In short if, Digital root of solution (i.e. B) = Digital root {Subtraction of digital
root of numbers} (i.e. A); answer is correct.

Finding digital roots for normal positive numbers could be easily recollected from
the chapter “VERIFICATION METHOD FOR ADDITION”.

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Solved Example:–

Digital root

A. 521782 5+2=7 .
– 381641 4+1=5 7–5=2
140141 1+1=2
Since both numbers are
Identical, solution is correct

Method:–
▪ For number 521782 combination of 9 (i.e. 8 and 1 & 7 and 2) are dropouts,
therefore digital root of 521782 = 5 + 2 = 7.
▪ For number 381641 combination of 9 (i.e. 3 and 6 & 8 and 1) are dropouts,
therefore digital root of 381641 = 4 + 1 = 5.
▪ Subtracting digital root of 381641 (i.e. 5) from digital root of 521782 (i.e. 7),
we get 7 – 5 = 2
▪ For solution 140141, combination of 9 (i.e. 4, 4 and 1) is dropouts, therefore
digital root of 140141 = 1 + 1 = 2.
▪ Since, Digital root of solution (i.e. 2) = Digital root {Subtraction of digital root
of numbers} (i.e. 2); answer is correct.

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Digital root

B. 32675491 1 1 – 5 = (- 4)
–13726895 5 Digital root of (– 4) = 9 – 4 = 5.
18948596 8 + 6 = 14 =1+ 4 = 5
Since both numbers are alike
Solution is correct.

Method:–
▪ Digital root of 3 2 6 7 5 4 9 1 = 1 (since all combinations of 9 and itself 9 can
be eliminated to find digital root).

▪ Digital root of 1 3 7 2 6 8 9 5 = 5 (since all combinations of 9 and 9 itself can

be eliminated to find digital root).
▪ Subtracting digital root of 13726895 (i.e. 5) from digital root of 32675491 (i.e.
1), we get 1 – 5 = - 4
▪ Digital root of negative number (– 4) is the number that is complement of 9,
which means the negative number is to be subtracted from 9, that we can
find as 9 – 4 = 5
▪ Digital root of the solution 18948596 = 8 + 6, Since combinations of 9 (i.e. 1
and 8 & 4 and 5) and itself 9 are eliminated = 14 = 1 + 4 = 5.
▪ Since, Digital root of solution (5) = Digital root {Subtraction of digital root of
numbers} (5); answer is correct.

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Some Other Examples:–

Digital root

A. 4124873 8 + 3 = 11; 1 + 1 = 2 2 – 4 = – 2,
– 31927 3+1=4 Digital root of (– 2) = 9 – 2 = 7
4092946 4 + 2 + 4 + 6 = 16; 1 + 6 = 7
Since both numbers are alike
Solution is correct

Digital root

B. 5128924137 2+1+3=6 6 – 7 = – 1,
– 3185420812 3+2+2=7 Digital root of (– 1) = 9 – 1 = 8
1943502325 2+3+2=7
Since both numbers are not identical
Solution is incorrect.
Practice:–
(Find solutions and verify it)

A. 31897 B. 412897 C. 42173158

–21342 –542189 –31294312
.

(Verify answers orally)

A. 87927123967 B. 324576598 C. 8909654231 D. 121335465689

– 54554576399 – 256534435 – 8146729581 – 8689982132
33372547568 68042183 762924650 112645483557

Author: Dr. Devang Shah Page 17