Compute 5.6 − 2.3.

Compute 5.6 − 2.3.

• A. 3.1
• B. 3.3
• C. 3.5
• D. 3.0

Answer: (B)

When you subtract decimals, first line up the decimal points and work column by column. For 5.6 minus 2.3, look at the tenths: 6 minus 3 equals 3. Then at the units: 5 minus 2 equals 3. Put the decimal back in, giving 3.3. You can also see this by multiplying both numbers by 10 to turn them into whole numbers: 56 minus 23 equals 33, and then place the decimal to get 3.3. So the correct result is 3.3.

When you subtract decimals, first line up the decimal points and work column by column. For 5.6 minus 2.3, look at the tenths: 6 minus 3 equals 3. Then at the units: 5 minus 2 equals 3. Put the decimal back in, giving 3.3. You can also see this by multiplying both numbers by 10 to turn them into whole numbers: 56 minus 23 equals 33, and then place the decimal to get 3.3. So the correct result is 3.3.