Subtraction

Subtraction is a mathematical operation that represents the removal of objects from a collection. It is the inverse operation of addition. Represented by the minus sign (-), Subtraction finds the difference between two numbers, called the minuend (the number being subtracted from) and the subtrahend (the number being subtracted). The result of a Subtraction operation is called the difference. Subtraction is a fundamental arithmetic operation used to determine how much remains when one quantity is taken away from another, revealing relative quantities and change in quantity. It builds the basis for other arithmetic functions.

Subtraction meaning with examples

• If you have 10 apples and you give away 3, the Subtraction problem 10 - 3 = 7 tells you that you are left with 7 apples, a practical application frequently used in everyday tasks.
• In finance, calculating profit involves subtraction: total revenue minus total expenses equals profit, which represents the earnings of a business after accounting for its costs.
• When baking, you might need to reduce a recipe by half. This involves dividing each ingredient by two, and applying Subtraction to measurements if needed to get the desired amount.
• Consider determining the age difference between siblings; you subtract the younger sibling's age from the older sibling's age to calculate the difference and understand their age gap.