K-5 friendly lesson
One small step at a time.Read the idea, try the activity, and celebrate each win as you go.

Subtract a 1-Digit from a 2-Digit (With Regrouping)

🚨 The ultimate subtraction trick! Borrowing! It's time to perform the "Smash a Ten" trick using only vertical numbers.

Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.

Lesson 57 of 186

Concept

This is the famous "Borrowing" trick that every math genius uses!

🎯 The Borrowing Code:
Example: 42 - 6 = ?
  4 2
-   6
--------
1. "More on Top? No need to stop! More on the Floor? Go next door!"
   The 6 is on the floor, and it's bigger than 2! We can't do 2 - 6. Go next door!
2. Borrow from the neighbor: Look at the 4 (in the Tens place). Cross it out! Make it a 3. It lent you a Ten!
3. Give to the Ones: Give that 10 to the 2. Cross out the 2 and write an invisible little 1 in front of it to make it a 12.
4. Subtract the Ones: Now we can do it! 12 - 6 = 6.
5. Bring down the Tens: The neighbor is a 3 now. 3 - 0 = 3.
6. Answer: 36!

Try it

Go next door and borrow!

Instructions: Use the rhyme: "More on top? No need to stop! More on the floor? Go next door!"

Problem 1:
  5 1
-   4
--------
* More on the floor? YES! 4 is bigger than 1.
* Borrow from 5. (Make it a 4). Give to 1. (Make it an 11).
* Ones: 11 - 4 = ___
* Answer: ___
Problem 2:
  7 5
-   8
--------
* Answer: ___
Problem 3:
  3 0
-   3
--------
* Answer: ___
Problem 4:
  2 8
-   5
--------
* (Wait! More on top? No need to stop! Don't borrow on this one!)
* Answer: ___