Vedic Maths — Veda Topper
Subtract from 100, 1000 or 10000 — Instantly
To subtract a number from a power of ten, you never borrow. The sutra Nikhilam says: take all the digits from 9, and the last digit from 10.
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The rule
To do (100, 1000, 10000…) minus a number: subtract every digit from 9, except the last digit which you subtract from 10.
Example 1 — 1000 − 576
9 − 5 = 4
9 − 7 = 2
10 − 6 = 4
1000 − 576 = 424
Example 2 — 10000 − 4387
9−4 = 5
9−3 = 6
9−8 = 1
10−7 = 3
10000 − 4387 = 5613
Example 3 — 100 − 48
9 − 4 = 5
10 − 8 = 2
100 − 48 = 52
When the number has fewer digits than the base
For 1000 − 48, treat 48 as 048: 9−0 = 9, 9−4 = 5, 10−8 = 2 → 952. This same idea powers base multiplication and the complement method used across Vedic Maths.
Why it works
Every digit of the answer plus the matching digit of the number must reach 9 (or 10 in the units place) so the whole thing sums to the base — that is precisely "all from 9 and the last from 10."
Practice (answers below):
1) 1000 − 268 2) 10000 − 5732 3) 100 − 37 4) 1000 − 6 5) 10000 − 349
Answers: 1) 732 2) 4268 3) 63 4) 994 5) 9651
1) 1000 − 268 2) 10000 − 5732 3) 100 − 37 4) 1000 − 6 5) 10000 − 349
Answers: 1) 732 2) 4268 3) 63 4) 994 5) 9651
More Vedic Maths tricks
← Vedic Maths home Multiply by 11 in one lineSquare numbers ending in 5Base multiplication (Nikhilam)Vertically & crosswiseSquares near a base (Yavadunam)Instant division by 9All 16 Sutras & 13 sub-sutras
Frequently asked questions
What is "all from 9 and the last from 10"?
It is the Nikhilam sutra for subtracting from a power of ten: subtract each digit from 9, and the final digit from 10, with no borrowing. 1000 − 576 = 424.
How do I subtract when the number is shorter than the base?
Pad it with leading zeros. For 1000 − 48, treat it as 048 → 9−0, 9−4, 10−8 = 952.
Where else is this trick used?
The same "complement" idea underpins Vedic base multiplication (Nikhilam) and many mental-maths shortcuts.
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