Short Answer 
To subtract using the column method, first align the numbers vertically by place value. Then subtract each digit from right to left, borrowing when necessary, and finally combine the results to obtain the answer, which is 3045 – 2572 = 473.
Step 1: Write the Numbers in Columns
To begin the subtraction using the column method, align the numbers vertically, placing the larger number on top. For this example, write 3045 on top and 2572 directly beneath it. Make sure to align the digits according to their place values (thousands, hundreds, tens, and units).
Step 2: Subtract Digit by Digit
Start subtracting from the rightmost digit (the units place) moving left. Follow these steps:
- Subtract 5 (from 3045) and 2 (from 2572) to get 3.
- In the tens place, since 4 is less than 7, borrow 1 from the hundreds place. This turns 4 into 14, allowing you to subtract 14 – 7 = 7.
- Since you borrowed, reduce the hundreds digit 0 by 1 to get 0 – 5, which becomes 10 – 5 = 5 after borrowing.
Step 3: Combine the Differences
Now that you have calculated each column, write down the results from each step. The results are:
- Units: 3
- Tens: 7
- Hundreds: 5
Thus, the final answer of the subtraction is: 3045 – 2572 = 473.