Subtraction Calculator

Calculate the subtraction of two numbers:

The number which is obtained after subtraction is called the difference of the two numbers. The number which is being subtracted is called the subtrahend, and the number which is being subtracted from is called the minuend. For example, consider “18 - 7 = 9”. Here, 18 is the minuend, 7 is the subtrahend, + is the subtraction operator and 9 is the difference.

If the minuend is greater than the subtrahend, the subtraction process is quite straightforward. If the minuend is lesser than the subtrahend, we need to borrow a digit from the next higher digit of the minuend and then continue the subtraction process.

Given below are some important properties of subtraction.

Minuend – The number which is to be subtracted from.

Subtrahend – The number which is being subtracted.

Difference – The number obtained after the subtraction of two numbers.

Minus – Denoted by “ - ”, this sign is an arithmetic operator which indicates the subtraction of two or more numbers.

Closure property – When one number is subtracted from the other, the difference is not always a whole number. This means that, the number obtained after subtraction of two numbers may or may not be a whole number. So, the closure property is not followed for whole numbers. For example, 4 - 5 = -1. Here, 4 and 5 are whole numbers. Their difference, -1 is not a whole number.

The closure property holds if we consider the numbers as integers or real numbers. In this example, 4, 5 and -1 are integers, as well as real numbers. So, the subtraction of integers or real numbers follows the closure property.

Non-commutative property – Subtraction of two numbers is not commutative. When the order of the minuend and subtrahend are changed, the difference also changes. For example, 4 - 5 = -1 , but 5 - 4 = 1. Here, 4 - 5 ≠ 5 – 4. We obtain two different numbers when the order the numbers are altered.

Non-associative property – When the groups of numbers to be subtracted, are changed, the difference also changes. For example, (13 - 6) - 8 = -1 and 13 - (6 - 8) = 15. In the case of (13 - 6) – 8, we subtract 6 from 13 first to get 7, and then subtract 8 from 7 to get -1. In the second case, 8 is subtracted from 6 to get -2, which in turn gets subtracted from 13, to give 15 as the final answer. Hence, (13 - 6) – 8 ≠ 13 – (6 – 8).

Even if the numbers involved in the subtraction process are the same, the grouping of numbers is important. We cannot group any two numbers and subtract them.

Identity property – When 0 is subtracted from any number, we get that number itself. For example, 4 - 0 = 4.

Below are the rules followed for the subtraction of numbers.

If the minuend is larger than the subtrahend, then subtraction will result in a positive number. For example, 8 - 5 = 3.

If the minuend is smaller than the subtrahend, then subtraction will result in a negative number. For example, 4 - 5 = -1.

If the subtrahend is a negative number, and the minuend is positive, then the negative signs cancel out and create a plus. In other words, this has the effect of adding the positive counterpart of the subtrahend to the minuend. For example, 8 – (-3) = 8 + 3 = 11.

If both the minuend and subtrahend are negative, the sign of the difference will be the sign of the larger of the two numbers. For example, - 8 – (- 3) = - 8 + 3 = -5. Whereas, - 8 – (- 20) = - 8 + 20 = 12.

Subtraction of numbers can be done in the following steps.

First, write the numbers in a stack, and align the digits according to place value. The larger number should be on top and the smaller number below.

If the numbers are decimals, make a separate column for the decimal points.

Start subtracting the bottom number from the top number in each column from right to left. The right most place is for ones, followed by tens, hundreds, thousands and so on.

Write down the answer at the bottom in each column.

In a column, if the bottom number is larger than the top, look at the number to the left of it in the top row. Cross out that number and write the value of that number minus 1 in its place.

In the original column, cross out the top number and write the value of that number plus 10 in its place. In doing so, we borrow a digit from the next higher place value for the lower place value.

Continue in this way by subtracting the bottom number with the new larger number on top. Write down the answer below.

If any of the top numbers are 0, continue to the left till a non-zero number is found. Borrow a 10 from each column till the original column is reached. Continue this process until all the numbers are subtracted.

The examples below demonstrate subtraction.

Given below are some examples of subtraction in everyday life.

When we go shopping, we inevitably spend some money. We need subtraction to calculate the change in case some extra amount is paid during the transaction.

Subtraction also helps us track our expenses.

Computers and calculators rely on basic arithmetic operations like subtraction.

Subtraction is often used by parents and caregivers to measure the correct dosage of medication for a child, or how much food is required depending on their weight.

Please check our interactive Subtraction table and learn further here

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