Subtracting tenths.

I am learning to subtract with 1 decimal place fractions.

Questions like 3.7 - 2 .9 = ?

Anita had 2.6 of a chocolate bar left after her party. She then ate another 0.9 How much does she have left?

Step 1: Imagine the 2.6

chocolate

chocolate

Step 2: We can’t take 0.9 away because we only have 0.6

To fix this we will have to remove one of the whole chocolate bars from its wrapper so we can subtract 9.

2.6 – 0.9

Step 4: Now we can remove the 9 tenths.

2.6 – 0.9 = 1.7

Andre had 3.2 of a chocolate bar left after Christmas. He then ate another 1.6 How much does he have left?

Step 1: Imagine the 3.2

chocolate

chocolate

Step 2: We can subtract the whole so let’s do this now.

3.2 – 1.6

Step 4: Now we can remove the 6 tenths.

3.2 – 1.6 = 1.6

chocolate

Step 3: We can’t take 0.6 away because we only have 0.2

To fix this we will have to remove one of the whole chocolate bars from its wrapper so we can subtract 0.6

Now try these questions on your own. You may need some blocks to help you work these out.

Need some more practise? Try Teacher Tools Addition and Subtraction Book or Fractions, Decimals and Percentages Book Numeracy resources

1) 4.3 – 2.8 = ?

2) 2.5 – 1.9 = ?

3) 3.7 – 0.8 = ?

4) 2.2 – 1.5= ?

5) 7.3 - 4.5 = ?

Click again when you have completed each question and the answer will be displayed.

1.5

0.6

2.9

0.7

2.8