To solve the subtraction problem [tex]\( 6,321 - 4,879 \)[/tex], follow these steps:
1. Align the Numbers by Place Value: Write down the numbers so that the digits are aligned according to their place values (units, tens, hundreds, thousands).
[tex]\[
\begin{array}{r}
6321 \\
-4879 \\
\end{array}
\][/tex]
2. Subtract the Units: Start with the rightmost column (units place).
[tex]\[
1 - 9
\][/tex]
Since 1 is less than 9, you need to borrow 1 from the tens place. This makes the units place 11 (borrowing converts the 2 in the tens place to 1, and adding 10 to the units place).
[tex]\[
11 - 9 = 2
\][/tex]
3. Subtract the Tens: Move to the tens place. Remember that after borrowing, we turned the 2 into a 1.
[tex]\[
1 - 7
\][/tex]
Since 1 is less than 7, borrow 1 from the hundreds place. This makes the tens place 11 (borrowing converts the 3 in the hundreds place to 2, and adding 10 to the tens place).
[tex]\[
11 - 7 = 4
\][/tex]
4. Subtract the Hundreds: Move to the hundreds place. Remember that after borrowing, we turned the 3 into a 2.
[tex]\[
2 - 8
\][/tex]
Since 2 is less than 8, borrow 1 from the thousands place. This makes the hundreds place 12 (borrowing converts the 6 in the thousands place to 5, and adding 10 to the hundreds place).
[tex]\[
12 - 8 = 4
\][/tex]
5. Subtract the Thousands: Finally, move to the thousands place. Remember that after borrowing, we turned the 6 into a 5.
[tex]\[
5 - 4 = 1
\][/tex]
6. Combine the Results: Put the results from each place value together.
[tex]\[
1442
\][/tex]
Therefore, [tex]\( 6,321 - 4,879 = 1,442 \)[/tex].
