Subtraction is a fundamental mathematical operation that represents the process of taking one quantity away from another, resulting in the difference between the two. It is denoted by the minus sign (−) and is one of the four basic operations in arithmetic, alongside addition, multiplication, and division.
- Definition: Subtraction calculates the difference between two numbers or quantities.
- Symbol: The minus sign (−) is used to indicate subtraction.
- Terminology: The number being subtracted is called the subtrahend, the number from which it is subtracted is the minuend, and the result is the difference.
Subtraction is the process of finding the difference between two numbers.
Minuend, subtrahend, and difference are all terms used in subtraction.
How Subtraction Works
Subtraction involves removing the value of the subtrahend from the minuend. If the minuend is larger, the difference is positive; if smaller, the difference can be negative, indicating a number less than zero.
- Minuend: The starting amount (the number you subtract from).
- Subtrahend: The amount taken away.
- Difference: What remains after subtraction.
Example: 15 − 7 = 8
- Minuend: 15
- Subtrahend: 7
- Difference: 8
The subtrahend is 5, the amount being subtracted.
A subtraction equation includes the minuend, subtrahend, and difference.
Subtraction in Daily Life
Subtraction is used in many everyday situations where quantities decrease or change.
- Shopping: Calculating change after a purchase.
- Time: Determining the duration between events.
- Budgeting: Tracking expenses against income.
- Cooking: Adjusting ingredient quantities.
Subtraction is used in shopping, time management, budgeting, and more.
Subtraction with Different Types of Numbers
Subtraction can be performed with whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and even negative numbers.
| Number Type | Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Whole Numbers | 10 − 4 | 6 |
| Decimals | 5.5 − 2.3 | 3.2 |
| Fractions | 3/4 − 1/2 | 1/4 |
| Negative Numbers | 3 − (−2) | 5 |
7 − 3 equals 4.
Subtraction applies to whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and negative numbers.
Visualizing Subtraction
Subtraction can be visualized using objects, number lines, or bar models to show the removal or difference between amounts.
- Objects: Removing items from a group.
- Number Line: Moving backward from the minuend.
- Bar Model: Comparing lengths to show the difference.
Subtraction is often visualized with objects, number lines, and bar models.
You end at 6, moving backward 4 steps from 10.