Add and subtract decimals: word problems
Learn with an example
A carpenter bought a piece of wood that was 8.6 centimeters long. Then she sawed 1.8 centimeters off the end.
How long is the piece of wood now?
Subtract the number of centimeters. Remember to line up the decimal points.
8.6 – 1.8 = 6.8
The piece of wood is 6.8 centimeters long now.
Dominic had 0.21 grams of pepper. Then he used 0.18 grams of pepper to make some scrambled eggs.
How much pepper does Dominic have left?
Subtract the numbers of grams. Remember to line up the decimal points.
0.21 – 0.18 = 0.03
Dominic has 0.03 grams of pepper left.
Cooper bought a piece of fabric that was 9.82 meters long. Then he cut 7.05 meters of it off to use in a sewing project.
How much fabric is left?
Subtract the numbers of grams. Remember to line up the decimal points.
9.82 – 7.05 = 2.77
2.77 meters of fabric are left.
Let’s practice!
