Subtraction Algorithms

An algorithm is a procedure used to solve a math computation problem. The algorithms you probably used as a child are still being taught in our schools. What we know from research and experience tells us that the traditional algorithm didnt always work for students. The focus of the learning was on the process and not on the concept. We learned the catchy phrase of Does McDonalds Sell Cheese Burgers to help us remember the steps of long division: divide, multiply, subtract, check and bring down. The focus was on the steps without regard to the conceptual understanding of taking a whole and breaking it into parts. In todays classrooms, students will learn many algorithms. The goal is for the student to find one what they can be secure, efficient, and accurate with. If they have more than one of these algorithmic tools mastered they can use the one that best fits the problem they are working on. There are 5 algorithms used in subtraction: Trades-First, Counting Up, Left-to-Right, Same-Change Rule, and PartialDifferences. Example: Trades-First Subtraction In this algorithm all the trading is done before the subtraction, allowing the children to concentrate on one thing at a time. This is similar to the one we have traditionally used in the US. Examine the columns. You want to make trades so that the top number in each column is as large as or larger than the bottom number. To make the top number in the ones column larger than the bottom number, borrow 1 ten. The hundreds 8 -2 tens 4 4 ones 3 8

hundreds 8 -2

tens 3 4 4

ones 13 3 8

top number is the ones column becomes 13, and the top number in the tens column becomes 3. hundreds 7 8 -2 tens 13 3 4 4 ones 13 3 8

To make the top number in the tens column larger than the bottom number, borrow 1 hundred. The top number in the tens column becomes 13, and the top number in the hundreds column becomes 7.

Now subtract column by column in any order.

tens ones 13 7 2 13 Example: Counting Up 8 4 3 -2 4 8 To find 843-248, start with 248 and count up to 5 9 5
843. 248 250 Add 2 to count up to the nearest 10 Add 50 to count up to the nearest hundred Add 500 to count up to the largest possible 100 Add 43 to count up to 843

hundreds

300

800 843

Counting Up To subtract using the

Now find the sums of the numbers you added. 2 50 + 500 43 595 So, 843 248 = 595

counting-up algorithm, start with the number you are subtracting (the subtrahend), and count up to the number you are subtracting from (the minuend) in stages. Keep track of the amount you count up at each stage. When you are finished, find the sum of the amounts.

Partial-Differences The partial-differences subtraction algorithm is a fairly unusual method but one that appeals to some children,

Example: Partial-Differences Subtraction Subtract 100s 800-200 843 -248 600 0

The procedure is fairly simple: Write Subtract 10s 40 40 partial differences for each place, Subtract 1s 3-8 -5 record them, then add them to find the total difference. A complication is that Add the partial differences 595 some of the partial differences may Example: Left-to Right Subtraction be negative. Left-to Right Subtraction To find 843 - 248, think of 248 as the sum To use this algorithm, think of the 200 + 40 + 8. Then subtract the parts of the number you are subtracting as a sum one at a time, starting from the hundreds. sum of ones, tens, hundreds, and so on. Then subtract one part of the Subtract the hundreds 843 sum at a time. - 200
643 Subtract the tens Subtract the ones.

40 603 8 595

Same-Change Rule If you add or subtract the same number from both parts of a subtraction problem, the results remain the same. For example: 12 - 8 = 4 Now add 4 to both the 12 and the 8. (12 + 4) (8 + 4) = 16 12 = 4 Or subtract 6 from both the 15 and the 8: (12 - 6) (8 6) = 6 - 2 = 4 The same change rule algorithm uses this idea to rename both numbers so the number being subtracted end in zeros. Depending on the problem, you would choose to add or subtract. Example: Same- Change Rule Add the same number. Add 2 Add 50 843 845 - 248 -250 Subtract

895 -300 595

Example: Same- Change Rule Subtract the same number. Subtract Subtract 8 40 843 835 795 - 248 -240 -200 Subtract 595