Grade 2 Subtraction: 2-Digit - 2-Digit (With Borrowing)

Worked examples

Real problems from the practice worksheets, solved one step at a time.

1. Example 1

   51 − 15 = ?

   1. Look at the ones place: 1 − 5
   2. 1 is less than 5, so we need to regroup (borrow).
   3. Borrow 1 ten from 5 tens, leaving 4 tens.
   4. 1 becomes 11 ones.
   5. Now subtract the ones: 11 − 5 = 6
   6. Subtract the tens: 4 − 1 = 3
   7. The answer is 36.

   Answer: 36

2. Example 2

   87 − 29 = ?

   1. Look at the ones place: 7 − 9
   2. 7 is less than 9, so we need to regroup (borrow).
   3. Borrow 1 ten from 8 tens, leaving 7 tens.
   4. 7 becomes 17 ones.
   5. Now subtract the ones: 17 − 9 = 8
   6. Subtract the tens: 7 − 2 = 5
   7. The answer is 58.

   Answer: 58

3. Example 3

   73 − 56 = ?

   1. Look at the ones place: 3 − 6
   2. 3 is less than 6, so we need to regroup (borrow).
   3. Borrow 1 ten from 7 tens, leaving 6 tens.
   4. 3 becomes 13 ones.
   5. Now subtract the ones: 13 − 6 = 7
   6. Subtract the tens: 6 − 5 = 1
   7. The answer is 17.

   Answer: 17