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Check subtraction with addition

Subtraction and addition are inverse operations: for a subtraction equation ab=ca-b=c, adding the difference cc to the subtrahend bb should reproduce the minuend aa. This relationship enables checking subtraction involving whole numbers within 1,000, including regrouping, and helps identify errors in place-value reasoning or computation while supporting later work with equations and unknown quantities.

Detailed Explanation: Check subtraction with addition

To check a subtraction answer, add the difference to the number you subtracted. The sum should equal the original number.

For example:

542278=264542-278=264

Check the answer by adding 264264 and 278278:

  1. Ones: 4+8=124+8=12. Write 22 ones and regroup 11 ten.
  2. Tens: 6+7+1=146+7+1=14. Write 44 tens and regroup 11 hundred.
  3. Hundreds: 2+2+1=52+2+1=5.

So,

278+264=542278+264=542

Because the sum is the original number, 542542, the subtraction answer is correct:

542278=264\boxed{542-278=264}

Learn by doing: Check subtraction with addition

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Subtraction - Missing Value, 3 Digit, 1 Number


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