Vertically align numbers with Larger Number on top:
| 5 | 4 | |
| − | 3 | 8 |
Subtract using place value:
| Tens | Ones | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 14 | |
| 54 | 5 | 4 |
| 38 | 3 | 8 |
| Difference | 1 | 6 |
Column traversal from right to left
Ones column:
Ones column:
- Since 4 is less than 8, we have to borrow 1 from the Tens column
- As a result, 4 becomes 14, and 14 − 8 = 6
- The 5 in the Tens column becomes 4
Tens column:
- 4 − 3 = 1
| 4 | 14 | |
| 5 | 4 | |
| − | 3 | 8 |
| 1 | 6 |
Therefore, the Difference between 54 and 38 is 16
Check computation by comparing Larger Number and the Sum of Smaller Number and Difference:
| 1 | ||
| 3 | 8 | |
| 1 | 6 | |
| 5 | 4 |
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = 54
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = Larger Number (54 = 54) ✓
