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Addition and Subtraction of Decimals

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Adding and Subtracting Decimals refers to the calculation of the sum and difference of two decimal numbers respectively. Decimals are numbers that contain decimals or points i.e., “.” between their digits. The number written on the left-hand side of the decimal is called the whole part and the number written on the right-hand side of the decimal is called the fractional part. Addition and Subtraction of Decimals is similar to the addition and subtraction of normal numbers with some minor differences. In this article, we will learn in detail about the method and steps of adding and subtracting Decimals.

What is the Addition and Subtraction of Decimals?

Adding decimals means finding the sum of two or more decimal numbers while Subtracting Decimals means finding the difference between two decimal numbers. The process of addition and subtraction of decimals is the same as that of normal while keeping in mind the decimal point. If there are two unlike decimals then we first need to make it like decimal by placing extra zeros and then add or subtract as per our requirement. It should be noted that placing extra zeros after the last digit in a decimal number doesn’t change the value of the number. Let’s learn Decimal Addition and Subtraction in detail.

Decimal Addition

Addition of Decimal is the method of adding two or more decimal numbers. In this topic, we will learn the steps to add decimals and also decimal addition for like and unlike decimals.

How to Add Decimals?

Addition of Decimals can be performed using the following steps:

Step 1: Make sure the decimal point of the numbers are perfectly aligned in a vertical line.

Step 2: Write zeroes in the places where the numbers are not of the same length.

Step 3: Add the numbers and find the output.

Example: Add 12.25 and 2.32.

Solution:

Step 1: Make sure the decimal point of the numbers are perfectly aligned in a vertical line.

Addition-of-Decimals-1

Step 2: Write zeroes in the places where the numbers are of not the same length.

Addition-of-Decimals-2

 

Step 3: Add the numbers and find the output.

Addition-of-Decimals-3

 

Adding Like Decimals

Like Decimals are those whose length after the decimal point is the same i.e. there are an equal number of digits after the decimal. While adding like decimals we simply add it like two numbers and place the decimal point in the answer exactly at the same location where it is present in the two numbers. The addition of like decimals can be better understood using an example.

Example: Add 113.351 and 103.752

Answer:

Example of Addition-of-Decimals

 

Adding Unlike Decimals

While adding unlike decimals we just have to convert unlike decimals into like decimals by placing zero in the decimal number of shorter length so that the number of digits in both decimal numbers after the point becomes the same. Once, the two numbers become like decimals, add them as we have done in like decimals.

Example: Add 93.6 and 23.453

Answer:

Example of Addition-of-Decimals

 

Subtraction of Decimals

Subtraction of Decimal means finding the difference between two decimal numbers. In this heading, we will steps to calculate the difference between two decimal numbers, the subtraction of like and unlike decimals.

How to Subtract Decimals?

The steps to subtract two decimals are mentioned below:

Step 1: Make sure the decimal point of the numbers are perfectly aligned in a vertical line.

Step 2: Write zeroes in the places where the numbers are not the same length.

Step 3: Subtract the numbers and find the output.

Example: Subtract 7.45 from 234.2?

Solution:

Step 1: Make sure the decimal point of the numbers are perfectly aligned in a vertical line.

Subtraction of Decimals 1

 

Step 2: Write zeroes in the places where the numbers are of not the same length.

Subtraction of Decimals 2

 

Step 3: Subtract the numbers and find the output.

Subtraction of Decimals 3

 

Subtraction of Like Decimals

Subtraction of Like decimal is similar to that of subtraction of normal numbers just placing a decimal in the answer at the same location where it is present in the minuend and subtrahend. An Example of Subtraction of Like Decimal is mentioned below for better understanding.

Example: Subtract 23.56 from 85.43

Answer:

Example of Subtraction of Decimals

 

Subtraction of Unlike Decimals

While Subtracting unlike decimals, we first need to make the two decimals like by placing extra zeros in the decimal of shorter length and then we will subtract in the same manner as we do in case of like decimals.

Example: Subtract 13.567 from 82.4

Answer:

Example of Subtraction of Decimals

Read More,

Solved Examples on Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Example 1: Add 1.2 and -2.2?

Solution: 

1.2 + (-2.2) = 1.2 – 2.2 = -1.0

Example 2: Add -3.2 and 4.51?

Solution:

(-3.2) + 4.51 = -3.20 + 4.51 = 1.31

Example 3: Subtract 25.334 from 34.23?

Solution: 

34.23 – 25.334 = 9.096

Example 4: Subtract -342.42 from -244.44?

Solution:

-244.44 -(-342.42) = -244.44 + 342.42 = 97.98

FAQs on Adding and Subtracting Decimals

1. How to Add and Subtract Decimals?

We can add and subtract decimals by following the rules of addition and subtraction just by keeping the position of decimal in mind. The steps for subtracting and adding decimals are mentioned under the heading How to Add Decimals and How to Subtracting Decimals.

2. How to Add Decimal with Whole Numbers?

To add a decimal with the whole number we need to first convert the whole number into a decimal of equal length by adding zeros and then add. Let’s say we need to add 15 and 14.45 then we can solve it as 15.00 + 14.45 = 29.45.

3. How to Subtract Decimal with Whole Numbers?

To subtract a decimal with the whole number we need to first convert the whole number into a decimal of equal length by adding zeros and then subtract. For Example to subtract 14.45 from 15 we can do it as 15.00 – 14.45 = 0.55

4. What are Like Decimals?

The decimals which have the number of digits after decimal points are called Like Decimals.

5. What are Unlike Decimals?

The decimals which have unequal number of digits after decimal points are called Unlike Decimals.



Last Updated : 06 Jan, 2024
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