Subtraction and addition are inverse operations: for a subtraction equation , adding the difference to the subtrahend should reproduce the minuend . 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.
To check a subtraction answer, add the difference to the number you subtracted. The sum should equal the original number.
For example:
Check the answer by adding and :
So,
Because the sum is the original number, , the subtraction answer is correct:
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