4-Digit Subtraction

4-digit subtraction refers to the subtraction of numbers in which the minuend is of 4 digits and the subtrahend is either of 1, 2, or 3 digits. In 4-digit subtraction, we subtract the numbers one by one according to their place values, that is, ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands. Let us learn about 4-digit subtraction with regrouping and without regrouping in this page.

4-digit subtraction is the difference between a 4-digit number and another 4-digit number. Any number that is smaller than the 4-digit number can also be subtracted from it. We know that the larger number should be placed up and the smaller one should be placed below it. The larger number on top is called the minuend and the smaller number written below is the subtrahend. The final result of the subtraction of two numbers is called their difference. Both the numbers are placed one below the other in their respective place value columns and then they are subtracted.

Steps for 4-Digit Subtraction

For 4-digit subtraction, we use the steps given below.

• Step 1: Write the numbers one underneath the other, with the minuend on top, and the subtrahend just below it.
• Step 2: The numbers need to be placed as per their place values of ones, tens, hundreds, and thousands.
• Step 3: Start subtracting the digits in the ones column, followed by the tens column, the hundreds column and the thousands column.
• Step 4: Once the difference is obtained, the corresponding answer is written underneath. This gives the difference between the two numbers.

4-digit subtraction is done with regrouping and without regrouping. Let us learn both of them in the following section.

4-digit subtraction without regrouping means the numbers are subtracted without any borrowing. In such cases, all the digits in the minuend are bigger than the digits in the subtrahend. Let us understand this using an example.

Example: Subtract 2719 from 3989.

Solution: The 4-digit subtraction can be done using the following steps.

• Step 1: Arrange the numbers according to their place value one below the other.
• Step 2: Start subtracting the digits in ones column. Since all the digits of the minuend are greater than the subtrahend, no regrouping/borrowing is required here. Subtract the numbers in ones column and write the difference. (9 - 9 = 0)
• Step 3: Then, subtract the numbers in tens column and write the difference. (8 - 1 = 7).
• Step 4: After this, subtract the numbers in the hundreds column and write the difference. (9 - 7 = 2).
• Step 5: Now, subtract the numbers in the thousands column and write the difference. (3 - 2 = 1)

Therefore, the difference between the numbers is 1270.

4-digit subtraction with regrouping is also known as 4-digit subtraction with borrowing. When any digit in the minuend (top row) is smaller than the corresponding digit in the subtrahend (bottom row), we regroup the numbers and then subtract. While regrouping, we borrow 1 number from the preceding column to make that particular digit in the minuend bigger than the corresponding digit of the subtrahend. Let us understand this with an example.

Example: Subtract 3678 from 8162.

• Step 1: Arrange the numbers according to their place value. Start subtracting the digits in ones column. We can see that 2 is smaller than 8. So, we will borrow 1 from the tens column which will make it 12. Now, 12 - 8 = 4.
• Step 2: After giving 1 to the ones column in the previous step, 6 becomes 5. Now, let us subtract the digits in the tens place (5 - 7). Here, 5 is smaller than 7. So, we will borrow 1 from the hundreds column. This will make it 15. So, 15 - 7 = 8.
• Step 3: In step 2 we had given 1 to the tens column, so we have 0 in hundreds place. Here, 0 is smaller than 6, so we will borrow 1 from the thousands column. This will make it 10. So, 10 - 6 = 4.
• Step 4: Now, let us subtract the digits in the thousands place. After giving 1 to the hundreds column, 8 becomes 7. So, 7 - 3 = 4.

Therefore, the difference between the two given numbers is, 8162 - 3678 = 4484.

Important Notes on 4-Digit Subtraction

• Always remember to arrange the 4-digit number as per the place value of the digits.
• In the case of regrouping/borrowing, as and when we borrow, we subtract the numbers simultaneously.

☛ Related Topics

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

What is 4-Digit Subtraction in Math?

4-digit subtraction is the subtraction of numbers in which the minuend is of 4 digits and the subtrahend can be either of 1, 2, or 3 digits. We subtract the given numbers column-wise, starting from the ones column, followed by the tens column, the hundreds column, and the thousands column.

What is the Rule for 4-Digit Subtraction of Numbers?

We use the following rules for 4-digit subtraction.

• First of all, we place the two numbers one below the other keeping in mind their place value. The number on top is called the minuend and the number written below is the subtrahend.
• Then, we subtract the numbers starting from the ones column, followed by the tens column, the hundreds column and then the thousands column.

How to do 4-Digit Subtraction of Numbers with Regrouping?

4-digit subtraction of numbers with regrouping is done in those cases when any digit in the minuend is smaller than the respective subtrahend. We start subtracting the digits in the ones column, followed by the tens column, the hundreds column, and finally the thousands column. In case a digit in the minuend is smaller than its corresponding subtrahend, we borrow 1 from the preceding column, and combine it with this particular minuend so that it becomes larger than its subtrahend. Then we continue the subtraction keeping in mind that the number that had given 1 to the next column will get reduced by 1.

Give an Example of 4-Digit Subtraction with Regrouping.

Let us understand 4-digit subtraction with the help of the following example. Subtract 3246 - 2184.

• Step 1: Start subtracting the digits in ones place. Here, 6 - 4 = 2
• Step 2: Then, we move on to the tens column. We can see that 4 is smaller than 8. So, we will borrow 1 from the hundreds column, which will make it 14. Now, 14 - 8 = 6.
• Step 3: We move on to the hundreds column. In step 2 we had given 1 to the tens column, so the 2 in hundreds place becomes 1. Now, 1 - 1 = 0.
• Step 4: Finally, in the thousands column, we have 3 - 2 = 1. Therefore, after subtracting 2184 from 3246, we get 1062.

How to Do 4-Digit Subtraction Without Regrouping?

4-digit subtraction without regrouping refers to the cases when all the digits in the minuend are greater than the corresponding digits in the subtrahend. In such cases, we do not need to borrow any number and the subtraction can be done normally.