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MATH MISSIONS • VERTICAL SUBTRACTION

Build Each Difference One Digit at a Time.

Practice vertical subtraction with two-digit, three-digit, and four-digit numbers. Complete the regrouping marks when needed, then drag the correct digits into the answer boxes and solve each problem in column form.

Grades 2–4 3 grade levels 10 rounds Regrouping practice Drag & drop Instant feedback
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Play again & again!

Every new game creates a fresh set of subtraction problems, answer tiles, and regrouping patterns for extra practice.

Choose a grade level

Grade labels are a guide. Choose the number size that matches the learner’s current skills.

QUICK GUIDE

How Does Vertical Subtraction Work?

Write numbers in columns so the ones, tens, and hundreds line up. Subtract from right to left. If the top digit is smaller than the digit below it, regroup from the column to the left.

1 ↕
Line Up Place Values

Put ones under ones, tens under tens, and hundreds under hundreds.

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2 −
Subtract Right to Left

Start with the ones column, then move to tens and hundreds.

→
3 10
Regroup When Needed

If the top digit is too small, take 1 from the next place value and add 10 to the current column.

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Remember: when you regroup 1 ten, it becomes 10 ones. When you regroup 1 hundred, it becomes 10 tens. The total value of the number stays exactly the same.

REGROUPING EXAMPLE
21412
352
−178
174
1
Ones: 2 is smaller than 8. Regroup 1 ten, so 2 becomes 12 and 5 tens becomes 4 tens. Then 12 − 8 = 4.
2
Tens: 4 is smaller than 7. Regroup 1 hundred, so 4 tens becomes 14 tens and 3 hundreds becomes 2 hundreds. Then 14 − 7 = 7.
3
Hundreds: 2 − 1 = 1. The final difference is 174.

In this game, students complete the regrouping marks first when they are needed, then build the difference one digit at a time. This makes each place-value change visible before the subtraction is completed.