What is 6.32 minus 2.47?

• A. 3.85
• B. 3.50
• C. 4.00
• D. 3.87

Answer: (A)

Subtracting decimals works the same as whole numbers once you line up the decimal points and borrow as needed. For 6.32 minus 2.47, look at the hundredths first: 2 minus 7 isn’t possible, so borrow 1 from the tenths place. That makes the tenths digit drop from 3 to 2, and the hundredths become 12. Now 12 minus 7 equals 5 hundredths.

Next, with the tenths place now 2, needing to subtract 4, borrow 1 from the units place. The units digit drops from 6 to 5, and the tenths get a full 10 added (so the tenths become 12). Then 12 minus 4 equals 8 tenths. Finally, the units: 5 minus 2 equals 3.

So the result is 3.85. A quick alternative check is to convert to cents: 6.32 is 632 cents and 2.47 is 247 cents; 632 − 247 = 385 cents, which is 3.85.