Question

Subtract: 15.7 - 9.8 =
1) 6.1
2) 8.96
3) 5.9
4) 4.30

Answer 1

To subtract 15.7 from 9.8, you align the decimal points, borrow from the higher place value when necessary, and subtract each digit. The correct subtraction result is 5.9.

Step-by-step explanation:

To subtract 15.7 by 9.8, you align the decimal points and subtract each digit in the corresponding place value as you would with whole numbers. Here's the step-by-step process:

1. Write the numbers vertically, aligning the decimal points: 15.7
   - 9.8
   ------
2. Subtract the tenths place: 7 tenths minus 8 tenths cannot be done without borrowing, so we borrow 1 from the units place which now becomes 4 and the 7 becomes 17 (since 1 is equivalent to 10 tenths).
3. Now subtract the tenths: 17 tenths minus 8 tenths equals 9 tenths.
4. Then subtract the units place: 4 (which we got after borrowing 1 from 5) minus 9 cannot be done without borrowing, so we borrow 1 from the 10's place (left blank here), making the 5 a 4 (since we borrowed 1 to make it 15, but then we already borrowed 1 to help with the tenths place, so it became 14 now).
5. Now subtract the units: 14 minus 9 equals 5.
6. So the final answer is 5.9.

The correct answer is option 3) 5.9.