Subtraction for Class 4: Your Step-by-Step Guide with Solved Examples

Subtraction is a basic maths operation that helps us find how much is left or the difference between two numbers. It means taking one number away from another.

For example, if you have 10 apples and give away 3, then how many are left?
You need to subtract:
10 − 3 = 7
So, 7 apples are left.

In Class 4, you will learn to subtract bigger numbers, including 3-digit and 4-digit numbers. You will also learn borrowing (regrouping), which helps when the top number is smaller than the number below it.

Table of Contents

• What is Subtraction?
• Subtraction of 3 and 4-digit Numbers from 4-digit Numbers
• Verification of Subtraction using Addition
• Finding Missing Minuends and Subtrahends
• Solved Examples on Subtraction
• Practice Questions on Subtraction
• Subtraction Worksheet for Class 4

What is Subtraction?

Subtraction is a mathematical operation used to find the difference between two numbers. When we subtract, we are removing a quantity from another quantity.

• Minuend: The number from which we are subtracting (the larger number)
• Subtrahend: The number that is being subtracted
• Difference: The result of the subtraction

General Format: Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference

Subtraction of 3 and 4-Digit Numbers from 4-Digit Numbers

When subtracting 3 or 4-digit numbers from 4-digit numbers, we align the numbers by place value and subtract column by column, starting from the ones place on the right.

Steps to Follow:

1. Write the minuend (larger number) on top and the subtrahend (smaller number) below it

2. Align both numbers by place value (ones below ones, tens below tens, etc.)

3. Subtract starting from the rightmost column (ones place)

4. If a digit in the minuend is smaller than the digit in the subtrahend, borrow 10 from the next column to the left

5. Continue the process for each place value

Example: Subtract 2345 from 7893

7893

- 2345

------

5548

Verification of Subtraction using Addition

Subtraction can be verified using addition. This is because addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Verification Rule: Difference + Subtrahend = Minuend

In other words, if you add the result (difference) to the number that was subtracted (subtrahend), you should get back the original number (minuend).

Verification Example:

Subtraction: 7893 - 2345 = 5548

Verification by addition: 5548 + 2345 = ?

5548

+ 2345

------

7893

Finding Missing Minuends and Subtrahends

Sometimes, one of the numbers in a subtraction problem is missing. We can find it using the inverse relationship between subtraction and addition.

Finding Missing Minuend:

If the minuend is missing, add the subtrahend and the difference: Minuend = Difference + Subtrahend

Example: ? - 2345 = 5548

Minuend = 5548 + 2345 = 7893

Therefore, the missing minuend is 7893.

Finding Missing Subtrahend:

If the subtrahend is missing, subtract the difference from the minuend: Subtrahend = Minuend - Difference

Example: 7893 - ? = 5548

Subtrahend = 7893 - 5548 = 2345

Therefore, the missing subtrahend is 2345.

Solved Examples on Subtraction

Below are 10 worked-out examples demonstrating various subtraction problems:

1. Subtract 1234 from 5678

5678

- 1234

------

4444

2. Subtract 2567 from 8000

8000

- 2567

------

5433

3. Subtract 3456 from 9876

9876

- 3456

------

6420

4. Subtract 1500 from 6789

6789

- 1500

------

5289

5. Subtract 4321 from 7654

7654

- 4321

------

3333

6. Subtract 567 from 3456

3456

- 567

------

2889

7. Subtract 2004 from 5000

5000

- 2004

------

2996

8. Find the missing minuend: ? - 1234 = 4321

Solution: Minuend = Difference + Subtrahend

= 4321 + 1234

= 5555

Verification: 5555 - 1234 = 4321

9. Find the missing subtrahend: 6789 - ? = 2468

Solution: Subtrahend = Minuend - Difference

= 6789 - 2468

= 4321

Verification: 6789 - 4321 = 2468

10. Verify subtraction: 8765 - 3210 = 5555

Solution: Add the result and subtrahend to verify

5555

+ 3210

------

8765 

Practice Questions on Subtraction

Try solving these 10 practice questions.

1. Subtract 2345 from 7654

2. Subtract 1111 from 9999

3. Subtract 3567 from 8901

4. Subtract 999 from 5000

5. Subtract 4444 from 9876

6. Find the missing minuend: ? - 2500 = 3500

7. Find the missing subtrahend: 7500 - ? = 2000

8. Verify using addition: 6234 - 1234 = 5000

9 Subtract 567 from 4321

10. Find the missing minuend: ? - 3456 = 2344

Subtraction Worksheet for Class 4

Download Subtraction Worksheet for Class 4 Easy

Download Subtraction Worksheet for Class 4 Medium

Download Subtraction Worksheet for Class 4 Hard