Factoring the negative sign [Most straight forward explanation]Since the first element is smaller than the second, you must realize that the result will be negative.
To find the units digit of a negative result, you factor out the negative sign.
- The expression 66^6 - 5^{55} becomes -(5^{55} - 66^6)
Now, you just subtract the units digits inside the parenthesis:
You are subtracting a number ending in 6 from a number ending in 5: (...5) - (...6). You cannot subtract 6 from 5, you borrow a 1 from the tens digit , making the 5 a 15. 15 - 6 = 9.
A quick shortcut for this is whenever the first term is smaller, to find the real UD of the subtraction, Invert the subtraction, and borrow if needed. 5^{55} - 66^6. 5 - 6. Yow borrow 1 for the 5 so it becomes 15-6=9 so UD=9
Regards,
Juan C. Avellan