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subtraction |
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subtraction, fundamental operation of arithmetic; the inverse of addition. If a and b are real numbers (see number number, entity describing the magnitude or position of a mathematical object or extensions of these concepts.
The Natural Numbers
Cardinal numbers describe the size of a collection of objects; two such collections have the same (cardinal) number of ..... Click the link for more information. ), then the number a−b is that number (called the difference) which when added to b (the subtractor) equals a (the subtrahend). In terms of addition the symbol −b is called the additive inverse of b with the property that the sum of a number and its inverse equals 0, or b+(−b)=0. It follows that −(−b)=b. The subtraction of b from a is the same as the addition of a and the inverse of b, or a−b=a+(−b); e.g., when a=10 and b=5, then 10−5=10+(−5). subtraction [səb′trak·shən] (mathematics) The addition of one quantity with the negative of another; in a system with an additive operation this is formally the sum of one element with the additive inverse of another. Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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