Vertically align numbers with Larger Number on top:
| 4 | 2 | |
| − | 3 | 6 |
Subtract using place value:
| Tens | Ones | |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 12 | |
| 42 | 4 | 2 |
| 36 | 3 | 6 |
| Difference | 6 |
Column traversal from right to left
Ones column:
Ones column:
- Since 2 is less than 6, we have to borrow 1 from the Tens column
- As a result, 2 becomes 12, and 12 − 6 = 6
- The 4 in the Tens column becomes 3
Tens column:
- 3 − 3 = 0
Note: Leading zero is dropped
| 3 | 12 | |
| 4 | 2 | |
| − | 3 | 6 |
| 6 |
Therefore, the Difference between 42 and 36 is 6
Check computation by comparing Larger Number and the Sum of Smaller Number and Difference:
| 1 | ||
| 3 | 6 | |
| 6 | ||
| 4 | 2 |
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = 42
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = Larger Number (42 = 42) ✓
