Partial Difference Subtraction
Education
USD 3.99 · Designed for iPad
Partial Differences Subtraction helps students learn and practice the partial differences subtraction method step by step.
The app gives students a visual way to subtract numbers by working with each place value separately. The partial differences are then combined to find the final answer.
Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own subtraction problems. The number of digits can be adjusted for different skill levels.
The Partial Differences Method:
In the partial differences method, each place value is subtracted separately from left to right. For example, in 936 − 580, the partial differences are 400, −50, and 6. These are then combined to get the final answer: 356.
Teacher endorsement:
“The math apps by Esa Helttula allow students to practice and reinforce the specific computation strategies taught in class, with as much or as little scaffolding as necessary. They also provide individualized feedback to each student, with an immediacy that is not always possible through pencil and paper practice.”
— R. Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada
Easy to Use:
The numbers are aligned automatically so students can focus on solving each column. After the student solves the operation for each column, the correct answer moves into the right place. If the student presses the wrong button, the answer appears above the keyboard but does not move.
Features:
- Step-by-step partial differences subtraction practice
- Each number can have 2–3 digits
- Randomly generated or manually entered problems
- Current operation for each column can be hidden
- Operands of the current operation can be highlighted
- Customizable interface colors
- Adjustable animation speed
Other iDevBooks Math Apps:
Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Multiplication, Long Division, Column Subtraction, Visual Multiplication Table, Partial Quotients Division, Partial Products Multiplication, Partial Sums Addition, Decimal Rounding, and more.
Feedback:
New ideas to make this app better are welcome. Please visit idevbooks.com to give feedback.
Privacy:
This app has no ads, no in-app purchases, and does not transmit user data during operation. The app also does not contain links to other apps or to the web.
Ratings & Reviews
- This app has not received enough ratings or reviews to display an overview.
Updated for iOS 26 compatibility.
The developer, Esa Helttula, indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .
Data Not Collected
The developer does not collect any data from this app.
Accessibility
The developer has not yet indicated which accessibility features this app supports. Learn More
Information
- Provider
- Esa Helttula
- Size
- 900.1 KB
- Category
- Education
- Compatibility
Requires iOS 17.6 or later.
- iPhone
Requires iOS 17.6 or later. - iPad
Requires iPadOS 17.6 or later. - Mac
Requires macOS 14.6 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip or later.
- iPhone
- Languages
- English
- Age Rating
4+
- 4+
- Made For Ages 9–11
- Copyright
- © Esa Helttula

