Minuend and Subtrahend
Do you know
that the three numbers involved in a subtraction equation are called using
three different names? They are minuend, subtrahend and difference. We will
discuss these terms one by one in this article.
We know that subtraction is the opposite of addition. Subtraction
means taking away smaller number from a larger number. ‘–’ is the sign
of subtraction.
Let
us see the following example.
25 – 12 = 13
Minuend Subtrahend Difference
The number from which we subtract the other
number is called the minuend.
The number which is subtracted from the
minuend is called the subtrahend.
The
result is called the difference.
Minuend Definition
Minuend is the bigger number from
which the smaller number is subtracted.
For example:
876 ← Minuend
–
642 ← Subtrahend
-------------
234 ← Difference
-------------
In the above example, 876 is the
minuend, 642 is the subtrahend and 234 is the difference. If we change the
position of the minuend and the subtrahend, the difference will change. It may
be positive or negative. So, we cannot change the position the minuend and the
subtrahend. Minuend is always bigger than the subtrahend.
Subtrahend Definition
You have seen above that the number
being subtracted from the minuend is called the subtrahend. The terms
minuend, subtrahend and difference are used to differentiate among the three numbers
used in a subtraction equation.
For example: Subtract 56 from 100.
Here, we have to subtract 56 from 100.
So, 56 is the subtrahend and 100 is the minuend. To find the difference, let us
subtract.
100 ← Minuend
–
56 ← Subtrahend
-------------
44 ← Difference
-------------
Remember this easy equation to under
these three terms.
Minuend – Subtrahend
= Difference
Solved Examples
Example 1: Find the minuend in the following subtraction
equation.
18 – 12 = 6
Solution: We know that minuend is the number from which
another number is subtracted. Thus, in this case minuend is 18.
Example 2: Find the subtrahend in the following
subtraction equation.
248 – 135 = 113
Solution: We know that subtrahend is the number which is
subtracted from the minuend. Thus, in this case subtrahend is 135.
Example 3: Subtract 3694 from 7329.
Solution: Here, 7329 is minuend and 3694 is subtrahend.
So, the subtraction equation is: 7329 – 3694
7329 ← Minuend
–
3694 ← Subtrahend
-------------
3635 ← Difference
-------------
Word Problems on Minuend and Subtrahend
Example 1: There were 578 seats in
an auditorium. If 325 people attended a concert held in the auditorium, how
many seats were empty?
Solution:
Total
number of seats in auditorium = 578
Number
of people in the concert = – 325
------------
Number
of empty seats
= 253
------------
Example 2: In a cricket stadium, 48950
people can sit. If in a particular match, 25748 seats are occupied, how many
seats are vacant?
Solution:
Total
number of seats in stadium = 48950
Number
of seats occupied = – 25748
---------------
Number
of vacant seats = 23202
---------------
Example 3: Mr. Sharma had Rs 76945
in his bank account. If he withdrew Rs 28538 from the account, how much money
is left in his bank account?
Solution:
Amount
in Mr. Sharma’s bank account = Rs 76945
Amount
withdrawn by him = –
Rs 28538
---------------
Amount
left in his bank account = Rs 48407
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