Subtracting Decimal Numbers | 5th Grade Math Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the "Watch the Dot!" worksheet for subtracting decimal numbers. The task is to find the answers to each subtraction problem below.

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Instructions:

We need to subtract the bottom number from the top number in each problem, being careful with decimal points and borrowing as needed.

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Step-by-step Solutions:

#### A.
87
−3.6
______

Convert 87 to 87.0
87.0 − 3.6 = 83.4

✔ Answer: 83.4

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#### B.
4.3
−1.2
______

4.3 − 1.2 = 3.1

✔ Answer: 3.1

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#### C.
18.4
−7.8
______

18.4 − 7.8 = 10.6

✔ Answer: 10.6

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#### D.
48.1
−28.69
______

Align decimals:

```
48.10
−28.69
______
```

Now subtract:
- 10 − 9 = 1 (tenths)
- 0 − 6 → borrow: 10 − 6 = 4, but we borrowed, so 0 becomes 9 after borrowing
- Actually, better to write:

```
48.10
− 28.69
________
```

Start from right:
- 0 − 9 → can't do, borrow: 10 − 9 = 1, but the next digit (1) becomes 0
- 0 − 6 → can't do, borrow from 8 → 10 − 6 = 4, now 8 becomes 7
- 7 − 8 → can't do, borrow from 4 → 17 − 8 = 9, 4 becomes 3
- 3 − 2 = 1

So result: 19.41

✔ Answer: 19.41

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#### E.
50.69
−11.53
______

```
50.69
−11.53
______
```

Subtract:
- 9 − 3 = 6
- 6 − 5 = 1
- 0 − 1 → borrow: 10 − 1 = 9, but 0 becomes 9 after borrow
- 4 − 1 = 3 (since 5 became 4)

Wait:
```
50.69
−11.53
______
```

Break it down:
- Hundredths: 9 − 3 = 6
- Tenths: 6 − 5 = 1
- Units: 0 − 1 → borrow from 5 → 10 − 1 = 9, 5 becomes 4
- Tens: 4 − 1 = 3

So: 39.16

✔ Answer: 39.16

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#### F.
64.75
−31.61
______

```
64.75
−31.61
______
```

- 5 − 1 = 4
- 7 − 6 = 1
- 4 − 1 = 3
- 6 − 3 = 3

So: 33.14

✔ Answer: 33.14

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#### G.
52.34
−21.72
______

```
52.34
−21.72
______
```

- 4 − 2 = 2
- 3 − 7 → can't do, borrow: 13 − 7 = 6, 2 becomes 1
- 1 − 1 = 0
- 5 − 2 = 3

So: 30.62

✔ Answer: 30.62

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#### H.
96.92
−31.65
______

```
96.92
−31.65
______
```

- 2 − 5 → borrow: 12 − 5 = 7, 9 becomes 8
- 8 − 6 = 2
- 6 − 1 = 5
- 9 − 3 = 6

So: 65.27

✔ Answer: 65.27

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#### I.
75.24
−46.87
______

```
75.24
−46.87
______
```

- 4 − 7 → borrow: 14 − 7 = 7, 2 becomes 1
- 1 − 8 → borrow: 11 − 8 = 3, 5 becomes 4
- 4 − 6 → borrow: 14 − 6 = 8, 7 becomes 6
- 6 − 4 = 2

So: 28.37

✔ Answer: 28.37

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#### J.
52.08
−19.32
______

```
52.08
−19.32
______
```

- 8 − 2 = 6
- 0 − 3 → borrow: 10 − 3 = 7, 2 becomes 1
- 1 − 9 → borrow: 11 − 9 = 2, 5 becomes 4
- 4 − 1 = 3

So: 32.76

✔ Answer: 32.76

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#### K.
95.80
−68.42
______

```
95.80
−68.42
______
```

- 0 − 2 → borrow: 10 − 2 = 8, 8 becomes 7
- 7 − 4 = 3
- 5 − 8 → borrow: 15 − 8 = 7, 9 becomes 8
- 8 − 6 = 2

So: 27.38

✔ Answer: 27.38

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#### L.
38.61
−12.36
______

```
38.61
−12.36
______
```

- 1 − 6 → borrow: 11 − 6 = 5, 6 becomes 5
- 5 − 3 = 2
- 8 − 2 = 6
- 3 − 1 = 2

So: 26.25

✔ Answer: 26.25

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✔ Final Answers:

| Problem | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| A | 83.4 |
| B | 3.1 |
| C | 10.6 |
| D | 19.41 |
| E | 39.16 |
| F | 33.14 |
| G | 30.62 |
| H | 65.27 |
| I | 28.37 |
| J | 32.76 |
| K | 27.38 |
| L | 26.25 |

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🔍 Summary:

All problems involve subtracting decimals. Key tips:
- Always align decimal points.
- Add zeros if needed to make digits match.
- Borrow carefully when subtracting across place values.
- Double-check your work!

Let me know if you'd like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!