Operations and calculations
3. Subtraction
Subtraction is the process of taking away a number, or quantity, from another to find the remaining value. The subtraction, or minus, (-) operator is used to indicate this operation.
10 – 6 = 4 (10, take away 6, leaves 4)
Subtracting a larger number from a smaller number
Subtracting a larger number from a smaller number, will result in a negative number.
To work out the answer, switch the numbers so that you can subtract the smaller number from the larger number, and then negate the answer, by prefixing it with a minus (-) symbol.
For example, to find 8 – 12,
- Switch the order of the numbers: 12 - 8
- Carry out the calculation: 12 - 8 = 4
- Negate the answer: -4