Subtraction is where abacus learners lose the most marks — the complements run backwards and the borrow travels the other way.
5 rows × 2 digits, subtraction
About 7 min
Free, no account
Sample problems
Real problems from this drill, with answers. Nothing to install, no account, no email — work them on paper, on a physical abacus, or in your head.
1
181
− 54
− 53
− 47
− 22
?
2
254
− 94
− 21
− 13
− 85
?
3
318
− 54
− 64
− 85
− 47
?
4
170
− 14
− 29
− 98
− 22
?
5
305
− 43
− 98
− 29
− 61
?
6
264
− 15
− 84
− 33
− 45
?
7
286
− 89
− 36
− 41
− 28
?
8
164
− 50
− 49
− 14
− 28
?
9
225
− 43
− 66
− 36
− 61
?
10
192
− 62
− 23
− 89
− 16
?
Full answer key
181 − 54 − 53 − 47 − 22 = 5
254 − 94 − 21 − 13 − 85 = 41
318 − 54 − 64 − 85 − 47 = 68
170 − 14 − 29 − 98 − 22 = 7
305 − 43 − 98 − 29 − 61 = 74
264 − 15 − 84 − 33 − 45 = 87
286 − 89 − 36 − 41 − 28 = 92
164 − 50 − 49 − 14 − 28 = 23
225 − 43 − 66 − 36 − 61 = 19
192 − 62 − 23 − 89 − 16 = 2
Practise it now
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About this drill
Every complement rule has a subtraction twin, and the twins are where errors concentrate. To subtract 8 from a rod showing 3, you remove ten from the rod on the left and give back two — the mirror of the addition rule, using the same pair. Learners who memorised the addition rules as procedures rather than as pairs have to relearn everything here; learners who memorised the pairs get subtraction almost free.
Each problem below starts from a number large enough that four subtractions never take the total below zero, because a soroban cannot show a negative. That constraint is not a simplification — it is how the instrument works, and it shapes how subtraction is taught.
How to practise it
1Set the starting number, then work down the column.
2For each row ask "is the bead free?" before reaching for a complement.
3Borrow ten from the left rod, then give back the complement.
4The total never goes below zero — if it does, you made an error.
Questions
Why can the answer never be negative?
A soroban has no sign — a bead is either counted or not. Working below zero requires a separate complement-of-the-whole-number technique taught much later.
Is subtraction harder than addition?
It is the same rules run backwards, but most curricula spend far less time on it, so it feels harder. Equal practice time closes the gap quickly.
What is the most common mistake here?
Giving back the wrong complement — subtracting ten and then subtracting the remainder instead of adding it. Slow, deliberate reps fix it.
Can I mix addition and subtraction?
Yes, and you should once each is solid on its own. The mixed drill page covers exactly that.