in a subraction, can you ever regroup to make 19 ones?  And Explain.

Hello Pondgrass,

As mentioned in the comment - the answer is NO (for base 10).

What is missing in the comment is why.

Let's search using phrases like:
  regroup subtraction
  explain regroup subtraction
  regroup subtraction "19 ones"

to find sites such as:
  http://www.themathpage.com/ARITH/subtract-whole-numbers-subtract-decimals.htm
Scroll down to part 2 titled "What is subtraction with regrouping?"
which explains that regrouping is needed when the digit in the
subtrahend (the one we are subtracting) is larger. The example shown:
  542 - 196
requires two regroup steps - one for the ones place and again in the tens place.

To get 19 ones, the subtrahend would have to have a "ten" (or larger)
digit in the ones place so it would be larger than the "9 digit" in
the other value. You can't do that in base 10 (but can in base 16) so
the answer is no.

There is another good reference on "why should we regroup" at
  http://www.eduplace.com/math/mw/background/2/06/te_2_06_subregroup_ask.html
which appears to be part of a teacher's guide on second grade math.

There is also a good home schooling reference at
  http://www.home-school.com/Articles/phs17-bobhazen.html
which describes cases where you should use consistent words / phrases
(the page uses verbalization) when describing how math problems.

When I used the last search phrase - only three sites came up and a
quick review show they all describe a number of situations - not just
subtraction. The use of "19 ones" appear in places where the student
is expected to put the value back into a normal form. This pretty much
confirms the original answer.

Please let me know if you need any additional references on this topic.

  --Maniac

Not in base 10.  Hexadecimal is a different matter, but I doubt 2d
graders are subtracting in hexadecimal - although they are getting
more advanced...