Subtraction without borrowing — Vedic maths trick

The trick

Nikhilam Navatashcaramam Dashatah — “all from 9 and the last from 10”

1. Work from the right. Top digit bigger or equal: just subtract.
2. Top digit smaller: take the difference and write its complement from 10. Complements start.
3. While in complements: top digit smaller or equal → complement of the difference from 9.
4. Top digit bigger → leave the complements: top − bottom − 1.

Use it for: Any subtraction of whole numbers — especially zeros in the top row. Same digits while in complements give 9 (from 9, difference 0).

Worked example: 5203 − 1758 = 3445

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, then tap your answer — or type it and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

🏁 Trick 14 test

20 sums. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

🏅 Sign in with Google to earn the 🛡️ Borrow-Free Pro badge when you pass — and a certificate when you finish all 10 tricks of Part 2 · Advanced tricks. You can still take the test without signing in.

🖨️ Subtraction Without Borrowing Worksheet

• Worksheet set 1 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 2 (PDF)
• Worksheet set 3 (PDF)