Here we will show you step-by-step how to calculate 3 minus 15 using the long subtraction method.
Before we continue, note that 3 is called the minuend and 15 is called the subtrahend.
To solve the problem 3 minus 15 using long subtraction, we first put the largest number on top and the smallest number at the bottom like this:
| 1 | 5 | |||||||
| - | 0 | 3 | ||||||
Then you subtract the ones digits (5 - 3 = 2) like this:
| 1 | 5 | |||||||
| - | 0 | 3 | ||||||
| 2 |
Next you subtract the tens digits (1 - 0 = 1) like this:
| 1 | 5 | |||||||
| - | 0 | 3 | ||||||
| 1 | 2 |
Note that since the minuend is smaller than the subtrahend, the answer is a negative number.
And that's it. The problem with the answer is displayed below:
3 - 15 = -12
Long Subtraction Calculator
Here you can enter another subtraction problem for us to explain and solve using the long subtraction method: