Subtraction is understood as finding the difference between a two-digit whole number and a one-digit whole number by reasoning with tens and ones; when the ones are insufficient, one ten is decomposed into ten ones without changing the number’s value. A number line, place-value representation, or related addition equation can show the relationship and help avoid treating the digits as independent quantities. This scope is limited to minuends from 10–99 and subtrahends from 0–9, not multi-digit subtrahends, decimals, or more advanced general algorithms.
On this page:
- Learn “Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number” with a detailed explanation of the concept
- Master “Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number” with unlimited, free practice problems
- Download (or modify) a free worksheet on Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number you can use at home or in class with practice problems that scaffold and explore “Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number” from different perspectives.
- Start working on adaptive units like “Addition and Subtraction of Integers - 1 and 2 Digit” or “Addition and Subtraction of Integers - 1 Digit” that introduce, teach, or practice “Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number” to maximize your learning.
Detailed Explanation: Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number
To subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number, think about the tens and ones.
Example: Find .
- Write as tens and ones:
- There are only ones, so we cannot take away ones. Decompose ten into ones:
- Subtract ones from ones:
- There are tens left, so the answer is:
Therefore,
You can check by adding:
Learn by doing: Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number
Click a topic below to practice the foundational skills you'll need, learn the steps, or master this skill
Your results
Practice with unlimited practice problems
Practice:
Subtraction - Whole Number 2 x 1, With Borrow
Earned ?
Download/Modify Free Grade 3 'Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number' Worksheet
Print this free 'Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Subtraction - Whole Number 2 x 1, With Borrow
- Subtraction - Whole Number 2 x 1 - Columns, With Borrow
- Ten Groups - Subtract, With Borrow, Less than 30
- Subtraction - Whole Number 2 x 1, No Borrow
- Subtraction - Whole Number 2 x 1 - Columns, No Borrow
- Subtraction - Whole Number 1 x 1
- Subtraction - Whole Number 1 x 1 - Columns
- Subtraction - Whole Number - Subtract 10 from a Number
Units Teaching This Skill
These adaptive units introduce, teach, or reinforce this skill (Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number) through scaffolded problems that grow in difficulty as concepts are understood.