1. Subtracting Across Zeros
Fourth Grade

2. How can I borrow when the neighbor is a zero?
704
- 438

3. Eight cannot be subtracted from four so we have to go to the next door neighbor to borrow.
704
- 438
But what happens when the next door neighbor is the number zero?

4. How can I borrow when the neighbor is a zero?
704
- 438

5. How can I borrow when the neighbor is a zero?
704
- 438
When the next door neighbor is a zero, you can’t borrow from it. So, you must continue to the next neighbor to see if you can borrow from it.

6. How can I borrow when the neighbor is a zero?
704
- 438
In this problem, the next neighbor is the number seven. We are able to borrow from this neighbor.

7. First you borrow from the seven and make it a six
First you borrow from the seven and make it a six. Then you can go back to the zero and make it a ten. 10 6
704
- 438

8. We no longer have a zero, but we still are not able to subtract eight from four.10 6
704
- 438

9. We can go back now to the tens place and borrow from our neighbor the ten.10 6
704
- 438

10. First we borrow from the ten and make it a nine.9 10 6
704
- 438

11. Then we change the four to a fourteen.9 10 14 6
704
- 438

12. We are now ready to subtract!9 10 14 6
704
- 438

13. 9 10 14 6
704
- 438 2 6 6

14. How can I borrow when the neighbor is a zero?
300
- 266

15. Six cannot be subtracted from zero so we have to go to the next door neighbor to borrow.
300
- 266

16. When the next door neighbor is a zero, you can’t borrow from it
When the next door neighbor is a zero, you can’t borrow from it. So, you must continue to the next neighbor to see if you can borrow from it.
300
- 266
In this problem, the next neighbor is the number three. We are able to borrow from this neighbor.

17. First you borrow from the three and make it a two
First you borrow from the three and make it a two. Then you can go back to the zero and make it a ten. 10 2
300
- 266

18. We no longer have a zero, but we still are not able to subtract six from zero.10 2
300
- 266

19. We can go back now to the tens place and borrow from our neighbor the ten.10 2
300
- 266

20. First we borrow from the ten and make it a nine.9 10 2
300
- 266

21. Then we change the zero to a ten.9 10 10 2
300
- 266

22. We are now ready to subtract!9 10 10 2
300
- 266

23. We are now ready to subtract!9 10 10 2
300
- 266 3 4

24. Now it is your turn to try one!9 10 10 6
700
- 211 4 8 9

25. Try another one! 9 10 10 7
800 7 8

26. Try one more! 9 9 10 4 10 10
5,000 4, 8 2 6

27. Now you are ready to try some on your own good luck!