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Subtraction for Dummies

noun

pronunciation: səb'trækʃən

What does Subtraction really mean?

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Subtraction is a mathematical operation that helps us find the difference between two numbers. It is a way of taking away or removing something from a larger quantity to see what remains. Just like when we have a pizza and we want to know how many slices are left after we eat some, we use subtraction to figure out the answer.

When we subtract, we are actually combining two actions: taking away and counting. Imagine you have a basket of apples, and you eat three of them. To find out how many apples are left in the basket, we would subtract the number of apples you ate from the original number of apples. So, if you started with eight apples and ate three, we could write the subtraction problem like this: 8 - 3.

To solve this problem, we count backwards. Starting with the number eight, we take away three apples one by one until there are no more left. So, we say 8...7...6. And then we stop because we have taken away three apples. The answer is six. This means that after eating three apples, we are left with six.

Subtraction can also be used to compare two numbers and find the difference between them. For example, we can use subtraction to compare the height of two trees. If one tree is seven feet tall and another tree is four feet tall, we can find the difference by subtracting the shorter height from the taller height. So, the subtraction problem would be: 7 - 4. We count backwards from seven, taking away four one by one: 7...6...5. And the answer is three. This tells us that the taller tree is three feet taller than the shorter tree.

In summary, subtraction is a way of finding the difference or the amount that remains when we take away one quantity from another. It is like removing slices of pizza from a whole or eating apples from a basket. We can also use subtraction to compare two numbers and find the difference between them. It is a useful mathematical operation that helps us understand and solve various problems in our everyday lives.

Revised and Fact checked by Liam Lewis on 2023-10-28 22:06:51

Subtraction In a sentece

Learn how to use Subtraction inside a sentece

  • You have 10 apples, and you give away 3, how many apples do you have left? (Subtraction: 10 - 3 = 7)
  • You have 15 stickers, and your friend gives you 6 more. How many stickers do you have now? (Subtraction: 15 - 6 = 9)
  • You have 20 candies, and you eat 8 of them. How many candies do you have left? (Subtraction: 20 - 8 = 12)
  • There were 25 students in the class, and 10 of them went home early. How many students are still in the class? (Subtraction: 25 - 10 = 15)
  • You have 30 marbles, and you lose 5 of them. How many marbles do you have now? (Subtraction: 30 - 5 = 25)

Subtraction Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Subtraction Antonyms

Words that have the opposite context of the original word.

Subtraction Hypernyms

Words that are more generic than the original word.

Subtraction Hyponyms

Words that are more specific than the original word.