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Grade 5, Fractions, decimals and percents

Subtract decimals to thousandths

Subtract decimals to thousandths in columns, including from a whole number.

Three levels

One skill, rising difficulty

Each sheet carries one level. The three are the same skill at rising difficulty, each named for what it practises.

Level 1: Thousandths
Subtract. Line up the decimal points.
Level 2: Different numbers of places
Subtract. Line up the decimal points. Write zeros where you need them.
Level 3: From a whole number
Subtract. Line up the decimal points. Write zeros where you need them.

Worked example

How the sheet explains it

The helper printed at the top of each sheet: one solved example and the steps a student follows, before the first question. Every number sentence in it is proven by the same checker as the answer key.

Level 1: Thousandths

  1. Line up the decimal points. Thousandths: 5 − 2 = 3.
  2. Hundredths: 1 < 8, so regroup 1 tenth: 11 − 8 = 3.
  3. Tenths: the 4 is now 3. 3 < 6, so regroup 1 one: 13 − 6 = 7.
  4. Ones: the 9 is now 8. 8 − 3 = 5. So 9.415 − 3.682 = 5.733.

Level 2: Different numbers of places

  1. Line up the decimal points. 4.5 = 4.500, so both have thousandths.
  2. No hundredths or thousandths, so regroup 1 tenth: 4.5 is 4 ones, 4 tenths, 9 hundredths and 10 thousandths.
  3. Thousandths: 10 − 5 = 5. Hundredths: 9 − 7 = 2. Tenths: the 5 is now 4, 4 − 3 = 1.
  4. Ones: 4 − 2 = 2. So 4.500 − 2.375 = 2.125.

Level 3: From a whole number

  1. Line up the decimal points. 8 = 8.000, so both have thousandths.
  2. Only zeros after the 8, so regroup 1 one: 8 is 7 ones, 9 tenths, 9 hundredths and 10 thousandths.
  3. Thousandths: 10 − 4 = 6. Hundredths: 9 − 6 = 3. Tenths: 9 − 2 = 7.
  4. Ones: the 8 is now 7. 7 − 3 = 4. So 8.000 − 3.264 = 4.736.

Goes with

Reference sheets

One-page helpers a student keeps beside this sheet:

  • Decimals

Every reference, facts and support sheet is listed in the worksheet catalogue.

In the BC curriculum

Content standards

The British Columbia content standard this skill is written for, by the codes used across this site:

  • bc.math.5.c.7

The wording of each standard is on the Province's mathematics curriculum page.

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Back to all worksheets by grade, or read the Grade 5 guide to what this grade learns in British Columbia.