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Binary Subtraction: Rules, Procedure, Examples

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26th Apr, 2024
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    Binary Subtraction: Rules, Procedure, Examples

    One of the binary operations is binary subtraction, which is carried out by applying the subtraction procedure to two binary values. This process is comparable to the fundamental arithmetic subtraction in math done with decimal values. As a result, to reduce the next higher-order digit by one, we must borrow one from it when we subtract one from zero. The remainder that is left is, therefore, also one.

    The 2's complement of the second number is added to the first integer to perform binary subtraction. The binary addition of a negative value is what binary subtraction is.

    What is Binary Subtraction?

    Can binary numbers be subtracted? Yes, it is the answer. Similar to subtracting decimal or base 10 numbers, subtracting binary values is an arithmetic operation. For instance, 1 + 1 + 1 equals 3 in base 10 and 11 in the binary number system, respectively. Using caution while borrowing when adding and subtracting binary integers is important because these operations happen more frequently.

    You must account for the borrowing when subtracting multiple binary numbers columns. The result of subtracting 1 from 0 is 1, with 1 being taken from the following highest-order bit or digit.

    To begin binary subtraction, we must first comprehend the complements of 1 and 2.

    The entire contents of the system memory are stored in binary, which means that different combinations of 0s and 1s represent all integers.

    Positive numbers are relatively simple to store, but negative numbers are a little more challenging. We must modify the binary representation of numbers in order to store negative numbers as 0s and 1s and prevent them from being mistaken for their positive counterparts.

    In a system known as 1's complement, negative numbers are represented by the binary inverse of the equivalent positive numbers. It makes it possible to represent negative values in binary form.

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    Binary Subtraction Table

    The binary subtraction table is as follows:

    Binary NumberSubtraction Value
    0 – 00
    1 – 01
    0 – 11 (Borrow 1 from the next high-order digit)
    1 – 10

    When two binary integers, 1 and 1, are added together, they equal 10, with 0 being ignored and 1 being carried to the next high order.

    But if you subtract 1 from 1, the result is 0; therefore, nothing is carried over.

    In decimal subtraction, we borrow 1 from the previous number to make it 10 when subtracting 1 from 0, and the result is 9 because 10 - 1 = 9.

    On the other hand, binary subtraction only produces a single outcome. 

    What are the rules of Binary Subtraction?

    When you keep in mind the following guidelines, binary subtraction is significantly simpler than decimal subtraction. The binary subtraction rules are:

    • 0 – 0 = 0 
    • 0 – 1 equals 1, along with 1 as a borrow
    • 1 – 0 = 1 
    • 1 – 1 = 0 

    Example: Subtract 101 from 1010.

    Solution: 1010−110 = 0101 

    How to do Binary Subtraction?

    Binary numbers can be written as decimals or base-10 numbers. Since computers only comprehend the binary digits 0 and 1, they employ binary numerals to represent data. Let's use the example below to explain how to subtract binary numbers. 

    1010 
    (-) 101 
    • Step 1: Start by focusing on the 1's column. Subtract the 1's column from the 0's column (0 - 1), and the result is following the requirement of binary subtraction with a borrow of 1 from the 10's place. 
    • Step 2: The value 1 in the 10's column is converted to the value 0 after being borrowed from the 10's column as 1. 

    Borrow 1 

    1 0 1 0 
    (-) 1 0 1 
    —————— 
    1 
    • Step 3: So, subtract the value in the 10's place, ( 0 – 0 ) = 0.

    1 Borrow 

    1 0 1 0 
    (-) 1 0 1 
    —————— 
    0 1 
    • Step 4: Now subtract the values in 100's place. Borrow 1 from the 1000's place ( 0 – 1 ) = 1. 

    1 1 Borrow 

    1 0 1 0 
    (-) 1 0 1 
    —————— 
    0 1 0 1 

    Therefore, 0101 is the outcome of the subtraction operation. 

    The resultant value should match when you compare the binary subtraction resultant value to the decimal value. 

    The binary value 1010 corresponds to the decimal value 10, and the binary value 101 to the number 5.

    So, 10 – 5 = 5 

    Consequently, the binary number 0101 and decimal value 5 are equivalents.

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    Methods of subtraction of Binary numbers 

    Following are the methods of subtraction of binary numbers:

    1. Borrowing Method

    Borrow method binary subtraction

    All you need to do is line up the numbers like you normally do when subtracting decimals. The process is nearly identical! You simply use two digits instead of ten, which is the only difference. Using the guidelines below, subtract digits from the same column: 

    As you borrow 1 from the digit that is the furthest to the left, 1 - 0 = 1, 1 - 1 = 0, 0 - 0 = 0, and 0 - 1 = 1, which actually comes from 10 - 1 = 1. After all of that, the 1 you borrowed turns into 0. 

    Subtract 1012 from 10012. Here, the binary representations of the numbers 5 and 9 are 1012 and 10012, respectively. 

    Step 1: Arrange the numbers as shown below. 

    1 0 0 1 

    - 1 0 1 

    Step 2: Subtract the integers using the binary subtraction principles. Let's start this subtraction by removing the numbers starting on the right and working our way up to the next higher-order digit. First, subtract from the total. This equals zero. Moving on to the following higher-order digit, we deduct (0 - 0), which equals 0. The following step requires us to subtract (0 - 1); therefore, we take a 1 from the following higher-order digit. Thus, the outcome of the division (0 - 1) is 1. 

    1 0 0 1 

    - 1 0 1 

    1 0 0 

    Step 3: As a result, the difference between 10012 and 1012 is 1002. To demonstrate this, let's calculate the decimal equivalent of 1002, which is 4. As a result, 9 - 5 is 4. 

    • Compliment Method

    Complimentary method of binary subtraction

    Because combining complements to subtract is faster than performing genuine subtraction, complements are employed in digital circuits. By flipping all of the bits and adding 1, you can produce the binary complement of a number. There is no longer a carry from the high-order position. 

    Binary subtraction using 1's Complement

    A binary number's 1's complement is created by altering every 0 and every 1 in the number. The 1's complement of the binary integer 110 2 is 001 2, for instance. Please follow the instructions listed below to accomplish binary subtraction using 1's complement. 

    Find the 1's complement of the subtraction, or the second number of subtractions, in step 1. 

    • Step 2: Add it to the first number or the minuend. 
    • Step 3: If there is still a carryover, combine it with the outcome from Step 2's calculation. 
    • Step 4: If there are no carryovers, the result from step 2 is the binary addition of the difference between the two values. 

    Let's use an example to better grasp this. Use the 1's complement to subtract 1100102 from 1001012. In this case, the binary equivalents of 50 and 37 are 110101 and 100101, respectively. 

    Find the 1's complement of the subtrahend (37), which is 0110102, in the first step. 

    Add that to the minuend (50), which is 1100102 in step 2. 

    • Step 3: Add the numbers after they are arranged as follows. 

    0 1 1 0 1 0 

    + 1 1 0 0 1 0 

    1 0 0 1 1 0 0 

    • Step 4: This addition carries over the leftmost digit, 1, into step 5. Since there is a carryover, we add it to the outcome, which is 0011002, and get that number. 

    0 0 1 1 0 1 

    + 1 

    0 0 1 1 0 1

    The outcome is 11012 as a result. Additionally, 50 minus 37 is 13. 13 has the binary value 11012.

    Binary subtraction using 2's Complement

    The 2's complement subtraction method involves adding one integer to the 2's complement of another number in order to subtract two binary numbers. This article provides examples and an explanation of the binary subtraction technique that uses the 2's complement. The method involves adding one integer to the 2's complement of another number in order to subtract two binary numbers. This article provides examples and an explanation of the binary subtraction technique that uses the 2's complement. 

    Finding the 2's complement of the number that needs to be subtracted from another integer is the first step in applying this approach for subtracting two binary numbers. Finding the complement of the first number and then adding one to it yields the 2's complement. The addition is the necessary complement of the two. 

    Let's say we need to discover the binary number 10010's 2's complement. Find the complement of 1 first. Replace all 1 with 0 and all 0 with 1 to find this. Let's say we need to discover the binary number 10010's 2's complement. Find the complement of 1 first. Replace all 1 with 0 and all 0 with 1 to find this. 

    Therefore, 1's complement of 10010 will be 01101. Now, add 1 to this, as shown below. Therefore, 1’s complement of 10010 will be 01101. Now, add 1 to this, as shown below. 

    0 1 1 0 1 

    + 1 

    0 1 1 1 0 

    The steps below should be performed in order to use the 2s complement subtraction calculator to remove a smaller number from a larger number: calculator to remove a smaller number from a larger number: 

    • Step 1: Determine the lower number's 2's complement 
    • Step 2: Add this to the bigger amount. 
    • Step 3: Leave the carryout. Keep in mind that there is always a carry in this situation. 

    Binary Subtraction Examples

    Following are the binary subtraction examples: 

    • 110110 – 10110 

    The subtrahend has five bits, whereas the minuend has six. By placing a "0" in the sixth position of the subtrahend, we can equalize the bit count between the subtrahend and the minuend. 

    Now, (101101 + 1), or 101010, is 010110's 2nd complement. By using the minuend, add this. Now, (101101 + 1), or 101010, is 010110's 2nd complement. By using the minuend, add this. 

    1 1 0 1 1 0 Minuend  

    1 0 1 0 1 0 2’s complement of subtrahend 

    1 0 0 0 0 0  

    Dropping the carry-over results in a subtraction result of 100000. Dropping the carry-over results in a subtraction result of 100000. 

    • (110101)2 – (100101)2 

    (1 1 0 1 0 1)2 = 5310 

    (1 0 0 1 0 1)2 = 3710 – subtrahend 

    Add the 1's complement of the subtrahend to the minuend now. 

    1 carry 

    1 1 0 1 0 1  

    0 1 1 0 1 0  

    0 0 1 1 1 1  

    Therefore, the solution is 010000

    How to use the Binary Subtraction Calculator with steps?

    Let's practice subtracting two binary numbers, for example, 110 0101 from 1000 1100. As we are ready to subtract a greater number from a smaller one, it is fairly difficult because the second number has more digits than the first one. 

    This duty can be avoided with a clever method. The identity a - b = -(b - a) can be used; therefore, we'll subtract in reverse chronological order and add a negative sign at the end. In other words, we make an educated guess at the absolute value and then add a minus sign. Steps to use binary subtraction calculator using the complement method: using the complement method: 

    • When the numbers are reversed, we get 1000 1100 - 110 0101. 
    • Add a leading zero to the second value, as in 1000 1100 - 0110 0101. 
    • Switch the numbers (0->1, 1->0) and add 1 to arrive at the complement of the second number, which is 0110 0101 -> 1001 1011. 
    • 1000 1100 + 1001 1011 = 1 0010 0111 is the result of adding the first number and its complement. 
    • Take away the first 1 and any preceding 0s to get 1 0010 0111 ->  10 0111. 
    • Don't forget to add a minus sign to make the result -10 0111. 
    • These binary values are divided by one another to produce a final result of 110 0101 - 1000 1100 = -10 0111. 
    • To verify the calculations, we may also convert the numbers to decimals: 110 01012 - 1000 11002 = 10110 - 14010 = -3910 = -10 01112. 

    Conclusion

    A key component of binary arithmetic is binary subtraction, just like binary addition. 

    • Binary addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are the four arithmetic operation types used in binary arithmetic. 
    • The product of the binary integers 1 and 1 is 10, where 1 is taken to the next high order, and 0 is omitted. 
    • But if you subtract 1 from 1, the result is 0; therefore, nothing is carried over. 
    • In decimal subtraction, we borrow 1 to make 10 when subtracting from 0, and the result is 9 because 10 - 1 = 9. In decimal subtraction, we borrow 1 to make 10 when subtracting from 0, and the result is 9 because 10 - 1 = 9. 
    • On the other hand, binary subtraction only produces a single outcome. On the other hand, binary subtraction only produces a single outcome. 
    • We hope this article teaches you interest in programming. You can start your career in programming with Programming certification training.

    Binary Subtraction FAQs

    1How do I find the complement of a binary number?

    Simply invert the provided number to obtain a binary number's complement of 1. For instance, 001101 is the complement of binary number 110010 in terms of 1. 1's complement of the provided integer adds 1 to the least significant bit yielding a binary number's 2's complement.

    2How to use the binary subtraction calculator with steps?

    To better learn how to subtract binary integers, use this calculator for binary subtraction. The Borrow and Complement methods are the two main techniques for subtracting binary numbers.

    3How do you do addition and subtraction in binary?

    The binary equivalent of addition and subtraction is the decimal number system. However, the primary distinction between the two is that the binary number system employs two digits, such as 0 and 1. In contrast, the decimal number system uses digits from 0 to 9, with 10 as its basis. The binary system is subject to some unique regulations.

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    Ramulu Enugurthi, a distinguished computer science expert with an M.Tech from IIT Madras, brings over 15 years of software development excellence. Their versatile career spans gaming, fintech, e-commerce, fashion commerce, mobility, and edtech, showcasing adaptability in multifaceted domains. Proficient in building distributed and microservices architectures, Ramulu is renowned for tackling modern tech challenges innovatively. Beyond technical prowess, he is a mentor, sharing invaluable insights with the next generation of developers. Ramulu's journey of growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence continues to inspire aspiring technologists.

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