Subtraction - Subtraction of 4-digit Numbers without borrowing

Subtraction is the process of taking away a smaller number from a larger number to find the difference. Imagine having a collection of items and removing some; the remaining count is your answer.

The three main parts of a subtraction problem are the Minuend (the larger number on top), the Subtrahend (the number being taken away), and the Difference (the final answer).

Place Value Alignment: To subtract 4-digit numbers, visualize a grid with four columns labeled Thousands ($Th$), Hundreds ($H$), Tens ($T$), and Ones ($O$). Always write the digits of the numbers vertically in their correct columns.

The Right-to-Left Rule: Always begin subtracting from the rightmost column, which is the Ones place ($O$). Then, proceed leftward to the Tens ($T$), Hundreds ($H$), and finally the Thousands ($Th$) place.

Subtraction without Borrowing: This is also known as simple subtraction. It happens when every digit in the top number (Minuend) is greater than or equal to the digit directly below it in the bottom number (Subtrahend).

The Zero Property: When you subtract $0$ from any digit, the digit remains unchanged. For example, if you see a $0$ in the bottom row of a column, just bring the top number down to the answer line ($x - 0 = x$).

Subtracting Identical Digits: If the top digit and the bottom digit in a column are exactly the same, the result for that column is always $0$ ($x - x = 0$).

Verification: You can check if your subtraction is correct by adding the Difference and the Subtrahend together. If their sum equals the Minuend, your answer is perfect.