Question

Perform the subtraction using spikes: 508−273 and explain your steps

Answer 1

To perform the subtraction \( 508 - 273 \) using spikes, we can visualize the numbers with spikes representing each digit. We will break down the numbers by place value (hundreds, tens, and units):

1. **Representing the numbers:**
- **508**:
- 5 spikes for the hundreds place (500)
- 0 spikes for the tens place (0)
- 8 spikes for the units place (8)

- **273**:
- 2 spikes for the hundreds place (200)
- 7 spikes for the tens place (70)
- 3 spikes for the units place (3)

2. **Aligning the spikes visually:**

```
Hundreds: 5 | 2
Tens: 0 | 7
Units: 8 | 3
```

3. **Subtracting each place value separately:**

- **Hundreds place**:
- \( 5 - 2 = 3 \)
- We have 3 spikes remaining in the hundreds place.

- **Tens place**:
- \( 0 - 7 \) needs borrowing:
- We cannot subtract 7 from 0, so we borrow 1 from the hundreds place.
- This reduces the hundreds from 3 to 2 (because we borrowed 1 representing 100).
- Now, we have 10 in the tens place plus the original 0, giving us 10.
- Now perform the subtraction:
- \( 10 - 7 = 3 \)
- We have 3 spikes remaining in the tens place.

- **Units place**:
- Now we have 8 spikes in the units place.
- \( 8 - 3 = 5 \)
- We have 5 spikes remaining in the units place.

4. **Combining the results**:
- In the hundreds place, we have 2 spikes (200).
- In the tens place, we have 3 spikes (30).
- In the units place, we have 5 spikes (5).

5. **Final result**:
- When we combine these, we get \( 200 + 30 + 5 = 235 \).

Thus, \( 508 - 273 = 235 \).