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Contributor: Laquita Collins. Lesson ID: 14186
Master decimal subtraction and tackle real-life challenges, from tracking your budget to measuring distances, making everyday situations a breeze!
Imagine you have $2,000 saved for some incredible trips.
Your first flight to New York costs $459.85, and your second flight to Mexico is $678.45.
You can figure this out using decimal subtraction, a handy skill for budgeting, shopping, and measuring distances.
With decimal subtraction, you can keep track of your finances and make every dollar count!
Understanding Decimals
Decimals are a way of representing numbers that are not whole. You’ll find them everywhere, especially in money and measurements.
Example: $12.50 shows that you have twelve dollars and fifty cents.
Watch this video to see how to subtract decimals.
Putting It Into Practice
Now that you've watched the video, it's time to practice.
Imagine you have a budget of $372.51 for a day at the mall.
Here's how to find out.
Awesome! You have $322.51 left for shopping.
Next, you buy a video game for $30 and a new pair of shoes for $40.
Follow the steps and remember to show your work on a separate sheet of paper.
Step One: Add the costs of the video game and shoes together.
| $ | 3 | 0 | . | 0 | 0 | ||
| + | $ | 4 | 0 | . | 0 | 0 | |
| $ | 7 | 0 | . | 0 | 0 |
Step Two: Subtract the total from your remaining budget.
| $ | 3 | 2 | 2 | . | 5 | 1 | ||
| - | $ | 7 | 0 | . | 0 | 0 |
Great job! You have $252.51 remaining.
Deciding on Your Purchase
You want to save at least $150, but you want to buy a new phone case.
Look at these two options. A regular blue case costs $95.60, and one with charms costs $120.00.
| $ | 2 | 5 | 2 | . | 5 | 1 | ||
| - | $ | 9 | 5 | . | 6 | 0 | ||
| $ | 1 | 5 | 6 | . | 9 | 1 |
Absolutely! You'll have $156.91 left.
| $ | 2 | 5 | 2 | . | 5 | 1 | ||
| - | $ | 1 | 2 | 0 | . | 0 | 0 |
If you buy this one, you’ll have $132.51 left.
That’s right! The regular blue case fits your budget, leaving you with $6.91 to spare.
Remember, staying within your budget helps you save for future items!
Switching Gears: Subtracting Decimals With Distance
You've tackled those budgeting problems. Now, follow the same steps to subtract decimals using distance.
Follow the same steps you used with money subtraction.
Keep in mind to show your hard work on paper.
Imagine you’re on a trail that’s 12.75 miles long, and you’ve already walked 5.50 miles.
Set up the problem.
| 1 | 2 | . | 7 | 5 | ||
| - | 5 | . | 5 | 0 |
You’ve got 7.25 miles to go!
Try another one.
| 8 | 5 | . | 6 | 0 | ||
| - | 3 | 8 | . | 4 | 5 |
Great job!
Final Challenge: A race is 10.75 miles long, and you’ve run 6.25 miles already.
Amazing work!
Now that you’re comfortable subtracting decimals with both money and distance, head over to the Got It? section to test your skills further!
Head over to the Got it? section to put your skills to the test.
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