2-Digit Subtraction

2-digit subtraction refers to the subtraction of numbers when the minuend is of 2 digits and the subtrahend is either of 1 digit or 2 digits. While solving 2-digit subtraction problems, we subtract the numbers column-wise using their respective place values, ones and tens. In this article, let us learn about 2-digit subtraction with and without regrouping, along with solved examples.

2-digit subtraction is done by placing the given numbers into columns using their respective place values, ones and tens. In subtraction, the number from which the other number is subtracted is called the minuend, the number which is to be subtracted from the minuend is called the subtrahend. The final result after subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend is called the difference.

The subtraction formula is written as:

Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference.

When performing 2-digit subtraction, we mostly use the column method. The following steps explain the method for 2-digit subtraction.

• Step 1: Place the numbers one below the other such that the bigger number is placed up and the smaller number is placed below it. We know that the number that is placed up is called the minuend and the number placed below is the subtrahend.
• Step 2: The numbers need to be placed as per their place values such that the ones digits are aligned vertically together and the tens digits are aligned together.
• Step 3: Start subtracting the digits from the ones column and then move on to the tens column.
• Step 4: Once the difference is obtained, the corresponding answer is written underneath.

2-digit subtraction without regrouping means that the subtraction is done without borrowing. It refers to the cases when each digit in the minuend is bigger than the corresponding digit of the subtrahend. Let us take an example to understand this better.

Example: Subtract 27 from 39.

Solution: Let us solve this using the following steps.

• Step 1: Arrange the numbers according to their place value as shown below.
• Step 2: Start subtracting the digits at ones place. Since the number on top is greater than the number at the bottom, no regrouping/borrowing is required here. After subtracting the numbers in ones column we get 9 - 7 = 2.
• Step 3: Now, subtract the digits in the tens column and we get the difference as 3 - 2 = 1.

Hence, after subtracting 27 from 39, we get 12.

2-digit subtraction with regrouping is also known as subtraction with borrowing. This regrouping is required when any digit in the minuend is smaller than the subtrahend. While regrouping, we borrow 1 number from the preceding column to make this smaller digit big enough from the corresponding subtrahend. Let us understand this with the help of an example.

Example: Subtract 18 from 55.

Solution: The following steps show the procedure to subtract 18 from 55.

• Step 1: Place the numbers one below the other aligned as per their place values as shown above.
• Step 2: Start subtracting the digits in ones place. Check if any digit in the subtrahend is greater than the corresponding digit in the minuend. In such a case, borrow 1 from the tens column and combine it with the smaller number so that it becomes bigger. Here, 5 and 8 are in ones column and since 5 is smaller than 8, we borrow 1 from the tens column and this 5 becomes 15. So, 15 - 8 = 7. Note down 7 under the ones column.
• Step 3: Now, subtract the numbers in the tens column. It should be noted that after giving 1 to the ones column, the number in the tens column will reduce by one number. So, 5 in the tens column becomes 4 because it gave 1 to the ones column. Now, 4 - 1 = 3.
• Step 4: Then, combine the numbers and write the difference. Therefore, the difference between 55 and 18 is 37.

☛ Related Topics

• 2-Digit Addition
• 2-Digit Multiplication
• 3-Digit Addition
• 3-Digit Subtraction
• 3-Digit Multiplication
• 4-Digit Addition
• 4-Digit Subtraction
• Addition and Subtraction of Decimals
• Addition and Subtraction of Integers
• Subtraction With Regrouping
• Subtraction on Number Line

What is 2-Digit Subtraction in Math?

2-digit subtraction refers to the subtraction of numbers in which the minuend is of 2 digits and the subtrahend can be of 1 digit or 2 digits. Minuend is the number from which the other number is subtracted, while subtrahend is the number that is to be subtracted from the minuend.

How to do 2-Digit Subtraction with Regrouping?

2-digit subtraction with regrouping is done when any digit in the minuend is smaller than the corresponding digit of the subtrahend. Let us subtract 17 from 36.

• Step 1: Place the numbers one below the other aligned as per their place values. Here 36 will be placed up because it is bigger and 17 will be placed below because it is smaller.
• Step 2: Start subtracting the digits in ones place. We need to check if any digit in the minuend is smaller than the corresponding digit in the subtrahend. In such a case, borrow 1 from the tens column and combine it with the smaller number. Here, 6 and 7 are in ones column and since 6 is smaller than 7, we borrow 1 from the tens column and this 6 becomes 16. So, 16 - 7 = 9. Write 9 under the ones column.
• Step 3: Now, subtract the numbers in the tens column. It should be noted that after giving 1 to the ones column, the number in the tens place will reduce by one. So, 3 in the tens column becomes 2 because it gave 1 to the ones column. Now, 2 - 1 = 1.
• Step 4: Finally, combine the numbers and write the difference. Therefore, the 36 - 17 = 19

What are the Steps to do 2-Digit Subtraction without Regrouping?

2-digit subtraction without regrouping is simple subtraction in which there is no borrowing because all the digits in the minuend are greater than the digits in the subtrahend. For example, let us subtract 47 - 32 using the following steps.

• Step 1: Arrange the numbers one below the other according to their place values.
• Step 2: Subtract the digits in ones column and write the difference. In this case, 7 - 2 = 5. Since the minuend is greater than the subtrahend, no regrouping/borrowing is required here.
• Step 3: Subtract the digits in tens column and write the difference. In this case, 4 - 3 = 1.
• Step 4: Combine the two results to get the difference.47 - 32 = 15.

How to Solve 2-Digit Subtraction Problems?

2-digit subtraction problems can be solved either by regrouping or without regrouping.

• Subtraction with regrouping: When any digit in the minuend is smaller than the corresponding digit in the subtrahend, we borrow 1 from the preceding tens column, combine it with the small digit and then continue the subtraction. Then while we move on to the tens column for subtraction, we need to note that the digit that had given 1 to the ones column gets reduced by 1.
• Subtraction without regrouping: When all the digits in the minuend are greater than the corresponding digits of the subtrahend, we simply subtract all the numbers and write the difference.