Hard Subtraction Problems

Subtraction is one of the arithmetic operations; it is the inverse of addition, meaning that if we start with any number and add any number and then subtract the same number we added, we return to the number we started with. Subtraction is denoted by a minus sign in infix notation. The traditional names for the parts of the formula

c − b = a

(Source: Wikipedia)

Hard subtraction example problems:

Hard subtraction problem 1:

Dylan made five hundred twenty-three cupcakes. Two hundred ten of them have already been put into packages. How many cupcakes are left to be packaged?

Solution:

Dylan made five hundred twenty-three cupcakes.

Two hundred ten of them have already been put into packages.

Cupcakes are left to be packaged = 523 – 210

= 313 cupcakes.

Answer: 313 cupcakes are left to be packaged.

Hard subtraction problem 2:

There are four hundred fifty employees working in an office building. Hundred an sixteen of them are about to leave to go out to lunch. How many employees will be left in the building?

Solution:

There are four hundred fifty employees working in an office building.

Hundred an Sixteen of them are about to leave to go out to lunch.

= 450 – 116

= 334

Answer: 334 employees will be left in the building.

Hard subtraction problem 3:

The pet store had three hundred twenty-eight bags of bird feed. Two hundred six will be eaten today. How many bags will be left?

Solution:

The pet store had three hundred twenty-eight bags of bird feed.

Two hundred six will be eaten today.

= 328 – 206

= 122 bags.

Answer: 122 bags will be left.

Hard subtraction practice problem:

Practice problem 1:

There were twenty-three magazines on a bookshelf this morning. Students came and borrowed ten of them. How many magazines are left?

Answer: 13 magazines are left

Practice problem 2:

There are fifty-two colored pens in a desk. There are twenty students and each will need one. How many colored pens will be left?

Answer: 32 colored pens will be left.

Practice problem 3:

There are forty-two birds sitting in two trees. One tree has twenty-two birds in it. How many birds are in the other tree?

Answer: 20 birds are in the other tree.