Subtract Decimals: Finding 5.4 - 0.21 Step by Step

Video Solution

Solution Steps

00:00 Solve

00:03 Place 0 in missing digits, position the decimal point:

00:06 Let's subtract from right to left

00:09 The digit is too small for subtraction, so we'll borrow from the next

00:12 The next digit will decrease by 1, and our digit will increase by 10

00:18 Now subtract from the larger number

00:21 Calculate and place accordingly

00:28 Continue to subtract, calculate and place accordingly

00:46 And this is the solution to the question

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we will subtract the decimal number $0.21$ from $5.4$ by following these steps:

Step 1: Align the decimal points in both numbers.
Step 2: Note that $5.4$ can be written as $5.40$ to facilitate subtraction.
Step 3: Subtract $0.21$ from $5.40$ by starting from the rightmost decimal place.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: Align the decimals:
$\begin{aligned} 5&.4\\ - ~~0&.21\\ \hline{\phantom{3232}} \end{aligned}$

Step 2: Perform the subtraction, starting from the rightmost digit:

Subtract the hundredths column: $0 - 1$ requires borrowing.
From $4$ in the tenths column, reduce it to $3$ , making the hundredth column $10$ , then $10 - 1 = 9$ .
Subtract the tenths column: $3 - 2 = 1$ .
Subtract the units column: $5 - 0 = 5$ .

The result of the subtraction is:
$5.19$

Therefore, the solution to the problem is $5.19$ .