Mastering Subtraction | Key Words and Strategies for Solving Mathematical Problems

Subtraction Key Words

Subtraction is the mathematical operation of finding the difference between two numbers

Subtraction is the mathematical operation of finding the difference between two numbers. It is commonly denoted by the symbol “-” or the word “minus”. When solving subtraction problems, it is important to understand the key words or phrases that indicate subtraction.

Here are some common subtraction key words or phrases:

1. Minus: This is the most obvious keyword indicating subtraction. For example, “9 minus 5” means subtract 5 from 9.

2. Difference: This word is often used to describe the result of a subtraction problem. For instance, “Find the difference between 12 and 7” means subtract 7 from 12.

3. Less: This word can indicate subtraction when used in phrases like “2 less than 8” which implies taking away 2 from 8.

4. Take-away: In situations where you are removing or subtracting a quantity, the phrase “take away” is often used. For example, “If you take away 3 from 10…”

5. Decreased by: This phrase is a common indicator of subtraction. For instance, “If a number is decreased by 4…” means subtract 4 from the given number.

6. Reduced by: Similar to “decreased by”, “reduced by” suggests subtraction. For example, “The price was reduced by 20%…” implies subtracting 20% from the original price.

7. Remainder: Although “remainder” is typically associated with division, it can also imply subtraction. In situations like “Jason had 7 apples, but he gave away 3. How many does he have left?”, the action of giving away implies subtraction.

It is important to note that these keywords may not always be explicitly stated in a problem. Sometimes, you may need to analyze the context and infer the subtraction operation based on the problem statement. Additionally, it is essential to understand the order of operations to correctly carry out the subtraction.

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