Use the column method to subtract 38.4 from 120
The correct answer and explanation is:
To subtract 38.4 from 120 using the column method, follow these steps:
Step 1: Set up the numbers in column form
120.0
- 38.4
Step 2: Subtract the digits starting from the right
Begin with the tenths place (the digits after the decimal point):
- 0 – 4: Since 0 is smaller than 4, borrow 1 from the ones place of 120. Now, the 0 becomes 10, and the 2 in the ones place of 120 turns into 1.
- 10 – 4: Now subtract 4 from 10, which equals 6.
Now move to the ones place:
- 1 – 8: Since 1 is smaller than 8, borrow 1 from the hundreds place of 120. Now, the 1 becomes 11, and the 1 in the hundreds place of 120 becomes 0.
- 11 – 8: Subtracting 8 from 11 gives 3.
Lastly, subtract the hundreds place:
- 0 – 3: Since 0 is smaller than 3, we cannot subtract 3 from 0, so we borrow 1 from the thousands place (which is zero, but that won’t change the overall process).
- The result is 81.6.
Step 3: Final Answer
The result of 120.0 – 38.4 is 81.6.
Explanation:
In the column method, it’s important to ensure that each digit is aligned properly. The key is to handle borrowing correctly when the number in the top row is smaller than the number in the bottom row. This method helps keep track of each place value and ensures that you get the correct result.