Subtraction

Subtraction is the arithmetic operation for finding the difference between two numbers. The special names of the numbers in a subtraction expression are, minuend − subtrahend = difference. The expression 7 − 4 = 3 can be spoken as "seven minus four equals three", "seven take away four leaves three" or "four from seven leaves three".

Addition is the opposite function from subtraction. Division is a form of repeated subtraction.

If the minuend is less than the subtrahend, the difference will be a negative number. For example, 17 − 25 = ( −8 ). We can say this as, "Seventeen minus twenty-five equals negative eight". This is how cash registers determine the change you receive when you pay with more money than your purchase costs.

Adapted from Simple English Wikipedia