Vertically align numbers with Larger Number on top:
| 1 | 2 | |
| − | 7 |
Subtract using place value:
| Tens | Ones | |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 12 | |
| 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 7 | 7 | |
| Difference | 5 |
Column traversal from right to left
Ones column:
Ones column:
- Since 2 is less than 7, we have to borrow 1 from the Tens column
- As a result, 2 becomes 12, and 12 − 7 = 5
- The 1 in the Tens column becomes 0
Tens column:
- 0 − 0 = 0
Note: Leading zero is dropped
| 0 | 12 | |
| 1 | 2 | |
| − | 7 | |
| 5 |
Therefore, the Difference between 12 and 7 is 5
Check computation by comparing Larger Number and the Sum of Smaller Number and Difference:
| 1 | ||
| 7 | ||
| 5 | ||
| 1 | 2 |
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = 12
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = Larger Number (12 = 12) ✓
