Subtraction Calculator
Subtract integers, decimals, and negative numbers with step-by-step solutions
Subtract Numbers
Minuend - Subtrahend = Difference
The number being subtracted from (minuend) minus the number being subtracted (subtrahend) equals the result (difference)
The number being subtracted from
The number being subtracted
___-___=___
Subtraction Examples
Positive Numbers
Basic Subtraction
15 - 6 = 9
Decimal Subtraction
7.5 - 2.3 = 5.2
Large Numbers
1000 - 237 = 763
Negative Numbers
Subtract Negative
8 - (-3) = 8 + 3 = 11
Negative Result
5 - 12 = -7
Both Negative
-4 - (-9) = -4 + 9 = 5
Subtraction Rules
•
Subtracting Zero
n - 0 = n
•
Subtracting from Zero
0 - n = -n
•
Subtracting Negative
n - (-m) = n + m
•
Same Numbers
n - n = 0
Subtraction Properties
Not Commutative
a - b ≠ b - a
Order matters!
Not Associative
(a - b) - c ≠ a - (b - c)
Grouping matters!
Inverse of Addition
a - b = a + (-b)
Related to addition
Tips & Tricks
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Double negative becomes positive
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Align decimal points when subtracting
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Borrow from the next column when needed
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Check your work by adding back
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Use number line for visualization
Understanding Subtraction
What is Subtraction?
Subtraction is one of the four basic arithmetic operations. It represents the operation of removing objects from a collection. The result of subtraction is called the difference.
Key Terms
- Minuend: The number being subtracted from
- Subtrahend: The number being subtracted
- Difference: The result of the subtraction
- Borrowing: Taking value from the next place value
Types of Subtraction
- •Basic: Simple subtraction of positive numbers
- •With borrowing: When digits need regrouping
- •Decimal: Subtraction with decimal numbers
- •Negative numbers: Involving negative values
Real-World Applications
- • Calculating change in shopping
- • Finding differences in measurements
- • Computing time intervals
- • Determining remaining quantities