Subtraction

Last Updated : 13 Feb, 2026

Subtraction in mathematics is an operation that is used to find the difference between two numbers. This means the subtraction operation tells us how much a quantity is smaller than another quantity. For example, subtracting 8 from 11, the result is 3.

For Example, if the height of John increases from 160 cm to 172 cm, then what is the increase in height? The height increase in height is calculated by subtracting two heights: 172 - 160 = 12. Thus, we say that the height is increased by 12 cm.

Subtraction in Real Life

These are some of the real-life applications of subtraction:

  • Measuring Distances: Subtracting the starting point from the end point gives the length of a space.
  • Timekeeping: Subtracting the start time from the end time calculates the duration.
  • Inventory Management: Subtracting sold items from total stock helps track inventory levels.
  • Budgeting: Subtracting expenses from income determines savings or remaining money.
  • Temperature Change: Subtracting the initial temperature from the final one shows the temperature difference.

Parts of Subtraction

There are various parts of subtraction that include

Subtraction
  • Minuend: The number from which another number is subtracted. Example: In 8 − 7, 8 is the minuend.
  • Subtraction Symbol: The minus sign (-) used to represent subtraction. Example: In 8 − 7, the minus sign is the subtraction symbol.
  • Subtrahend: The number that is subtracted from the minuend. Example: In 8−7, 7 is the subtrahend.
  • Difference: The result of the subtraction operation. Example: In 8 − 7 = 1, the difference is 1.

Methods for Subtraction

We have various methods for finding the sum of two numbers or solving addition.

1. Subtraction on Fingers

Using fingers one can easily calculated the subtraction of two numbers. To find the difference of two number we first count first number in our fingers and then close the fingers equal to number that we have to subtract. The fingers remaining is the required result of the subtraction problem.

Subtraction on Fingers Illustration

2. Subtraction on the Number Line

Finding the result of subtraction operation is very easy using the number line. If we have to find the difference of two numbers using number lines then we should the following steps.

Let us suppose we have to find the difference of 7 and 3

Step 1: Mark 7 on a number line.

Step 2: Now to find the difference of 7 and 3 we count 3 numbers backwards (in left direction)

Step 3: Mark the final position(here 3). Thus, we get the difference of 7 and 3 to be 4.

These steps can be explained using the following illustration.

Subtraction on Number Line Illustration

3. Subtraction By Regrouping

Subtracting by regrouping, or vertical subtraction, is used for subtracting two- or three-digit numbers arranged vertically.

In this method, numbers are written in Hundreds, Tens, and Ones format, and subtraction is performed column by column. If a digit in the upper number is smaller than the one below, a carry is borrowed from the next column to complete the subtraction.

For example, if we have to find the difference of 89 and 74 then the same is calculated as,

Subtraction By Regrouping Illustration

Learn in Detail

Subtraction Word Problems

Problem 1: If you have 5 liters of water and 3 liters are taken away, how many liters of water are left?

Solution:

Answer: 5 − 3 = 2 liters

Problem 2: If a boy spends $23 for movie ticket out of $50. How much money is left with him.

Solution:

Total money the boy has = $50

Money spent on movie ticket = $23

Money left with the boy = 50 - 23 = $27.

Problem 3: If Ray has 100 pens and he distribute 55 pens in his class, then how much pens are left with him.

Solution:

Total pen Ray has = 100 pens

Pens distributed by him in the class = 55 pens

Pens left with him = 100 - 55 = 45 pens

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