Add or subtract as indicated. 46.88 - 13.45

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the operation to perform, which is subtraction: \$46.88 - 13.45$.
2. Align the numbers by their decimal points to ensure correct subtraction of corresponding place values.
3. Subtract the digits starting from the rightmost decimal place (hundredths place), moving left through the tenths, units, and tens places.
4. If necessary, borrow from the next left digit when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit in any place value.
5. Write down the result of the subtraction, keeping the decimal point aligned in the answer.

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 in 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 representing the same place values (ones, tenths, hundredths, etc.) are in the same column. This prevents errors in calculation.

Basic Arithmetic Operations

Understanding how to perform basic arithmetic operations like subtraction is fundamental. This includes borrowing when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit in a given place value, ensuring accurate results.