Solve the Decimal Subtraction: 24.2 - 3.7

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve

00:03 We'll use long subtraction for calculation

00:08 Place 0 and the decimal point in the appropriate position

00:12 The digit is smaller than the digit we need to subtract from

00:14 So we'll borrow from the next digit

00:18 The larger digit will decrease by 1, and our digit will increase by 10

00:24 Now we'll subtract from the larger number and place

00:32 We'll continue to subtract and place accordingly

00:52 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem $24.2 - 3.7$ , follow these detailed steps:

Step 1: Align the numbers by their decimal points:
$\begin{array}{r} 24.2 \\ -3.7 \\ \hline \end{array}$
Step 2: Subtract the digits from the rightmost side. Starting with the tenths place, $2 - 7$ cannot be done without borrowing. Borrow 1 from the number in the units place (4 becomes 3), making it $12 - 7 = 5$ .
Step 3: Proceed to the whole number place. After borrowing, subtract $3 - 3 = 0$ .
Step 4: Move to the tens place, subtract $2 - 0 = 2$ .

Therefore, the result of the subtraction $24.2 - 3.7$ is $20.5$ .