# Column Subtraction > Interactive app for learning and practicing column subtraction with customizable settings and puzzles. (iPhone/iPad app by Esa Helttula.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/column-subtraction/id341040894 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Esa Helttula](https://appshunter.io/developer/339440196) - Category: Education - Price: $3.99 - Rating: 4.30/5 from 6 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 17.6 · 19 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2009-12-09 - Data updated: 2026-08-24 - Monetization: paid - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/column-subtraction/id341040894/reviews.md ## What is Column Subtraction? Column Subtraction helps students learn and practice the column subtraction method step by step. The app aligns the numbers automatically so students can focus on solving each column. Renaming is animated visually, helping students understand how values are moved between columns. Renaming can be done automatically or manually, and renaming over several columns is supported. Students can solve randomly generated problems or enter their own subtraction problems. The number of digits can be adjusted, making the app useful for different skill levels. Column subtraction is also known as columnar subtraction, long subtraction, or longhand subtraction. Renaming is also known as regrouping, trading, or borrowing. Features: - Subtract 2 or 3 numbers - Each number can have 1–5 digits - Randomly generated or manually entered problems - Automatic number alignment - Manual or automatic renaming/regrouping - Supports renaming over several columns - Current operation for each column can be hidden - Operands of the current operation can be highlighted - Adjustable animation speed - Different interfaces for iPhone and iPad - 25 six-piece animal jigsaw puzzles - Puzzle feature can be turned on or off Reviews and Endorsements: Professor Tim Pelton, assistant professor of Mathematics Education at the University of Victoria: “If your goal is to help your child to master the traditional subtraction algorithm then Column Subtraction may be the ideal App.” “With the ‘show current operation’ option turned on, they are constantly reminded of the next step, which can lead to efficient practice of the procedure. Then by turning off the current operation your child is able to practice remembering the steps on his/her own.” 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.” — Rita Zeni, Ecole Sandy Hill Elementary, Abbotsford, BC, Canada Other iDevBooks Math Apps: Other iDevBooks math apps include Column Addition, Long Division, Long Multiplication, Lattice Multiplication, Visual Multiplication Table, Fraction Math, Partial Differences Subtraction, Partial Quotients Division, Partial Sums Addition, 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. ## Key features - Column subtraction method teaching - Interactive and customizable interface - Random and custom problem solving - Adjustable number of digits - Step-by-step renaming animation - Picture puzzle reward system ## Recent user reviews (6 of 6) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/column-subtraction/id341040894/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Full of bugs; not maintained in years *2026-01-26* It’s January 2026. I gave the app 1 star because it is full of bugs and is unpredictable. 1.) All settings are reset to default after exiting and re-entering. 2.) The subtraction sign is ON TOP OF the number in the second row most of the time but not always. The minus sign should be to the LEFT of the number. 3.) The digit settings don’t do what is expected half the time. When setting the game to 3-digit subtraction, the game might display 2-digit or 1-digit or other. I wasted $4 on this app. If an app isn’t maintained for 4 years like this one and has a 5-star review, then closer inspection is warranted. The app has good features and is a great concept. However, the features just don’t work as intended. The only written review was from 15 years ago, and it was a 5-star praise of the app. Buyer beware. Update Jan./2026: I am running iOS 26.2 on an iPhone 14 Pro Max, so my software is up-to-date. ### 1/5 — Full of bugs; not maintained in years *2026-01-22* It’s January 2026. I gave the app 1 star because it is full of bugs and is unpredictable. 1.) All settings are reset to default after exiting and re-entering. 2.) The subtraction sign is ON TOP OF the number in the second row most of the time but not always. The minus sign should be to the LEFT of the number. 3.) The digit settings don’t do what is expected half the time. When setting the game to 3-digit subtraction, the game might display 2-digit or 1-digit or other. I wasted $4 on this app. If an app isn’t maintained for years and has approximately all 5-star reviews, then closer inspection is warranted. The app has good features and is a great concept. However, the features just don’t work as intended. The only written review was from 15 years ago, and it was a 5-star praise of the app. Buyer beware. ### 5/5 — Good, or try try 'Trade-First Subtraction' *2016-02-11* This subtraction app works fine but the method is unfamiliar to me. If this one looks unfamiliar to you too, I'd recommend the 'Trade-First Subtraction' app from this developer. That one matches was how I was taught at school, and is really good. ### 5/5 — WONDERFUL APP! *2010-11-20* This is an excellent way for my special education students to practice the skills they have learned in solving subtraction problems with regrouping. This is such a hard concept for them to work out on paper many times and this app makes it fun and at the same time shows them what they need to do. Then, when THEY actually go to work problems out on paper by themselves they refer to what they app showed them how to do. For some reason it is so much "cooler" to do the way the app shows them verses the way the "teacher" shows them....LOL - my students love this app. GET ALL of Esa's apps - they will have your students asking to solve problems all the time. ### 5/5 — I bought both. Try Addition too. *2010-10-07* This app is a great learning tool for teachers and parents to share with students and kids. The jigsaw puzzle pieces are a nice addition that makes it fun. ### 5/5 — Exactly what I was looking for *2010-03-09* For my 1st grader struggling with double and triple digit subtraction. Thank you! ## Frequently asked questions about Column Subtraction ### What is Column Subtraction? Column Subtraction is a paid educational app designed to teach and study the column subtraction method. It provides an interactive way to practice solving subtraction problems with customizable settings. ### How does Column Subtraction help with learning subtraction? The app uses an interactive interface with options like 'show current operation' to guide users through each step. It also offers positive reinforcement by preventing wrong entries, helping users build confidence and competence. ### What customization options are available in Column Subtraction? Users can customize the number of digits in numbers (1-5), the number of numbers to subtract (2 or 3), and whether problems are random or custom. Renaming can be manual or automatic, and animations can be adjusted. ### Does Column Subtraction have a puzzle feature? Yes, Column Subtraction includes a feature with 25 six-piece jigsaw puzzles of cute animals. One puzzle piece is revealed for each addition problem solved, and this feature can be turned on or off. ### What devices is Column Subtraction compatible with? Column Subtraction is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It offers different interface layouts for iPhone and iPad. ### How often is Column Subtraction updated? The latest version of Column Subtraction is 6.5, which was last updated on September 28, 2021. The app was originally released on December 9, 2009. ### What is the price of Column Subtraction? Column Subtraction is a paid app priced at $3.99. It does not feature in-app purchases or advertisements. ### What is the age rating for Column Subtraction? Column Subtraction has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners and children who are beginning to learn subtraction. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 7.0 — 2026-05-29 Updated for iOS 26 compatibility. ### 6.5 — 2021-09-28 - support for iOS 15 ### 6.2 — 2021-04-01 - support for iOS 14 ### 6.1 — 2019-10-07 Picture puzzle rewards that were missing from version 6.0 are now back. ### 6.0 — 2019-09-30 - support for iOS 13 - new interface with support for latest iPad and iPhone models - new theme colors ## Apps similar to Column Subtraction | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Multi Base Blocks Applications](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/multi-base-blocks-applications/id1479873029) | — | $0.99 | Education | | [Math Subtraction For Kids Apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-subtraction-for-kids-apps/id1438101300) | — | $2.99 | Education | | [Subtraction Wiz Lite](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtraction-wiz-lite/id499171715) | 4.0 (2) | Free | Education | | [Subtraction Mathematics](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/subtraction-mathematics/id1660955330) | 4.6 (22) | Free | Education | | [MN Executive Function Scale](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mn-executive-function-scale/id967184252) | 3.0 (2) | Free | Education | | [Math Loops Add & Subtract](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-loops-add-and-subtract/id1157009617) | — | $0.99 | Education | ## More apps by Esa Helttula - [Column Addition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/column-addition/id339440193) - [Long Division](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/long-division/id341041204) - [Long Multiplication](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/long-multiplication/id345037369) - [Partial Sums Addition](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/partial-sums-addition/id351022022) - [Trade-First Subtraction](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trade-first-subtraction/id351022585) All apps by Esa Helttula: https://appshunter.io/developer/339440196 ## Related topics [column subtraction](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/column-subtraction) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*