Decimal subtraction

Another 10 multiple choice questions, this time on decimal subtraction. I have tried to anticipate some common errors that I have seen many students make over the years, and I have tried to give feedback for each wrong answer that will guide the students onto the right path – these quizzes are meant for formative use.

Common subtraction errors include

  • writing the numbers in the wrong columns (I tell students to ‘fill in’ with zeros until all the numbers are the same size, so 3.6 – 0.57 becomes 3.60 – 0.57)
  • getting mixed up between crossing out and paying back (less common now as most people that come to our classes were taught the crossing out method)
  • transposing digits

I have used quizzes like these on a projector in a teaching room before now as well as for individual study.

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