1-37
In this first step, B cannot be subtracted from 7, so you take a borrow of 1016 from the next higher
value column. Add the borrow to the 7 in the minuend; then subtract (1716 minus B16 equals C16). Reduce
the number from which the borrow was taken (3) by 1.
To subtract 416 from 216 also requires a borrow, as shown below:
Borrow 1016 from the A and reduce the minuend by 1. Add the borrow to the 2 and subtract 416 from
1216. The difference is E.
When solved the problem looks like this:
Remember that the borrow is 1016 not 1010.
There may be times when you need to borrow from a column that has a 0 in the minuend. In that
case, you borrow from the next highest value column, which will provide you with a value in the 0
column that you can borrow from.
To subtract A from 7, you must borrow. To borrow you must first borrow from the 2. The 0 becomes
1016, which can give up a borrow. Reduce the 1016 by 1 to provide a borrow for the 7. Reducing 1016 by 1
equals F. Subtracting A16 from 1716 gives you D16. Bring down the 1 and F for a difference of 1FD16.
Now let’s practice what we’ve learned by solving the following hex subtraction problems:
