Add or subtract as indicated. 28.73 - 3.12

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the operation to perform, which is subtraction: \(28.73 - 3.12\).
2. Align the numbers by their decimal points to ensure correct subtraction:
3. \(\begin{array}{r} 28.73 \\ -3.12 \end{array}\)
4. Subtract the digits starting from the rightmost decimal place (hundredths place): subtract 2 from 3.
5. Continue subtracting each column moving left, borrowing if necessary, until the entire number is subtracted.

Key Concepts

Decimal Subtraction

Decimal subtraction involves subtracting numbers that have digits to the right of the decimal point. It requires aligning the decimal points vertically to ensure digits of the same place value are subtracted correctly.

Place Value Alignment

When performing operations with decimals, it is essential to line up the decimal points so that digits in the same place value (ones, tenths, hundredths) are directly above or below each other. This alignment ensures accurate calculation.

Borrowing in Subtraction

Borrowing is a technique used when the digit in the minuend is smaller than the digit in the subtrahend in a given place value. It involves borrowing 1 from the next higher place value to perform the subtraction correctly.