Subtract $5.678$ from $6.234$. What is the result?

Step-by-step solution

1. Align the decimal points and write the numbers in a column:\n\n\begin{aligned} 6.234\\-5.678\\\hline\end{aligned}
2. Start from the rightmost column (thousandths). Subtract $8$ from $4$. Since $4<8$, borrow 1 from the hundredths column, making $4+10=14$ and reducing the hundredths column by 1.
3. Subtract the thousandths: $14-8=6$.
4. Subtract the new hundredths ($3-1=2$) from $7$: $7-2=5$.
5. Subtract the tenths: $2-5$. Since $2<5$, borrow 1 from the units column, turning $2$ into $12$ and reducing the units by 1.
6. Subtract the tenths: $12-5=7$.
7. Subtract the units: $5-5=0$.
8. The result is $0.556$.
9. This is the required answer.

Concept tested: Subtracting decimal numbers

Published 4 October 2026 · How this solution was prepared and checked