How to Add and Subtract Decimals? (+FREE Worksheet!)

How to add and subtract decimals, step by step: the rule in plain language, solved examples worked one line at a time, and practice questions so you can try it yourself before moving on.

Adding and Subtracting Decimals, Example 1:

Add. (1.5 + 2.14=)

Solution:

First line up the numbers: (begin{array}{r} &1.5 +!!!!!&2.14 hline end{array}→ ) Add zeros to have same number of digits for both numbers. (begin{array}{r} &1.50 +!!!!!!&2.14 hline end{array} ), Start with the hundredths place. (0 + 4=4), (begin{array}{r} &1.50 +!!!!!!&2.14 hline end{array} 4), Continue with tenths place. (5 + 1=6), (begin{array}{r} &1.50 +!!!!!!&2.14 hline end{array}.64). Add the ones place. (1 + 2=3), (begin{array}{r} &1.50 +!!!!!!&2.14 hline end{array} 3.64)

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Adding and Subtracting Decimals, Example 2:

Subtract decimals. (2.56 – 1.15= begin{array}{r} &2.56 – !!!!!!&1.15 hline end{array} )

Solution:

Start with the hundredths place. (6 – 5=1), ( begin{array}{r} &2.56 – !!!!!!&1.15 hline end{array} 1 ), continue with tenths place. (5 – 1=4), ( begin{array}{r} &2.56 – !!!!!!&1.15 hline end{array}.41 ), put the decimal point and subtract the ones place. (2 – 1 =1), ( begin{array}{r} &2.56 – !!!!!!&1.15 hline end{array} 1.41 )

Adding and Subtracting Decimals, Example 3:

Add. (2.5 + 1.24=)

Solution:

First line up the numbers: (begin{array}{r} &2.5 +!!!!!!&1.24 hline end{array}→ ) Add zeros to have same number of digits for both numbers. (begin{array}{r} &2.50 +!!!!!!&1.24 hline end{array} ), Start with the hundredths place. (0 + 4=4), (begin{array}{r} &2.50 +!!!!!!&1.24 hline end{array} 4), Continue with tenths place. (5 + 2=7), (begin{array}{r} &2.50 +!!!!!!&1.24 hline end{array}.74). Put the decimal point and add the ones in place. (2 + 1=3), (begin{array}{r} &2.50 +!!!!!!&1.24 hline end{array} 3.74)

Adding and Subtracting Decimals, Example 4:

Subtract decimals. (4.67 – 2.15= begin{array}{r} &4.67 – !!!!!!&2.15 hline end{array} )

Solution:

Start with the hundredths place. (7 – 5=2), ( begin{array}{r} &4.67 – !!!!!!&2.15 hline end{array} 2 ), continue with tenths place. (6 – 1=5), ( begin{array}{r} &4.67 – !!!!!!&2.15 hline end{array}.52 ), put the decimal point and subtract the ones place. (4 – 2 =2), ( begin{array}{r} &4.67 – !!!!!!&2.15 hline end{array} 2.52 )

Exercises for Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Adding and Subtracting Decimals

Add and subtract decimals.

1. (color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &15.14 -!!!!!!&12.18 hline end{array} })

2. (color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &65.72 +!!!!!!&43.67 hline end{array} })

3. (color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &82.56 +!!!!!!&12.28 hline end{array} })

4.(color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &34.18 -!!!!!!&23.45 hline end{array} })

5. (color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &90.37 +!!!!!!&56.97 hline end{array} })

6. (color{blue}{ begin{array}{r} &45.78 -!!!!!!&23.39 hline end{array} })

Download the Adding and Subtracting Decimals Worksheet

1. (color{blue}{2.96})
2. (color{blue}{109.39})
3. (color{blue}{94.84})
4. (color{blue}{10.73})
5. (color{blue}{147.34})
6. (color{blue}{22.39})

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Watch this practice video for additional examples and reinforcement: