Math Drill Pages

Multi Digit Subtraction Worksheets: 5 and 6 Digits

This 4th grade sheet has 12 stacked problems for subtracting large numbers: Part A has 6 problems of 5 digit subtraction and Part B has 6 problems of 6 digit subtraction. Every problem needs regrouping in at least two columns, and two problems in each part need borrowing across zeros in the top number.

Grade
Grade 4
Problems
12
Time
About 20 minutes
Standard
4.NBT.B.4
Download PDF (US Letter) Download PDF (A4)

Two pages: the worksheet, then the answer key. No sign-up needed.

Worksheet preview

Part A Subtract the 5-digit numbers. Start with the ones column.

  1. 80176− 2330456872
  2. 93893− 7091722976
  3. 60669− 2408336586
  4. 97464− 4156955895
  5. 51047− 2487926168
  6. 96913− 7703419879

Part B Subtract the 6-digit numbers. Check by adding your answer to the bottom number.

  1. 839576− 478983360593
  2. 965764− 247655718109
  3. 849775− 108807740968
  4. 481201− 365762115439
  5. 863743− 358067505676
  6. 660441− 191984468457

Tips for teachers and parents

  • Work right to left and finish each column before looking at the next one.
  • When the top digit is 0, keep moving left to the first digit that is not 0, regroup there, and work back to the right.
  • Estimate first: 839,576 − 478,983 is about 800,000 − 500,000 = 300,000.
  • Check by adding the answer to the bottom number. The sum should be the top number.

Common mistakes

  • Taking the smaller digit from the larger one in a column instead of regrouping. The addition check catches it.
  • Forgetting that a 0 becomes 9 after regrouping across it. Ask students to cross out and rewrite every changed digit.

What to practice next

Practice multi-digit addition with 5- and 6-digit numbers, or use 4-digit subtraction word problems.

Frequently asked questions

What grade learns multi-digit subtraction?

Grade 4. Common Core 4.NBT.B.4 asks students to fluently subtract multi-digit whole numbers up to 1,000,000 with the standard algorithm.

Are there problems with borrowing across zeros?

Yes. Four of the 12 problems, two in each part, need regrouping across a zero in the top number.

Is there an answer key?

Yes, page 2 of the PDF shows all 12 answers.