Vertically align numbers with Larger Number on top:
| 5 | 2 | |
| − | 3 | 4 |
Subtract using place value:
| Tens | Ones | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 12 | |
| 52 | 5 | 2 |
| 34 | 3 | 4 |
| Difference | 1 | 8 |
Column traversal from right to left
Ones column:
Ones column:
- Since 2 is less than 4, we have to borrow 1 from the Tens column
- As a result, 2 becomes 12, and 12 − 4 = 8
- The 5 in the Tens column becomes 4
Tens column:
- 4 − 3 = 1
| 4 | 12 | |
| 5 | 2 | |
| − | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | 8 |
Therefore, the Difference between 52 and 34 is 18
Check computation by comparing Larger Number and the Sum of Smaller Number and Difference:
| 1 | ||
| 3 | 4 | |
| 1 | 8 | |
| 5 | 2 |
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = 52
Sum of Smaller Number and Difference = Larger Number (52 = 52) ✓
