Subtraction is the operation of taking the difference of two numbers x and y. Here, x is called the minuend, y is called the subtrahend, and the symbol between the x and y is called the minus sign. The expression "" is read "x minus y." Subtraction is the inverse of addition, so .

The subtraction of a number from itself gives 0, while the subtraction of a real number from a smaller real number gives a negative real number. Subtraction of real numbers can be naturally extended to complex numbers.

 

Addition, Division, Minuend, Minus, Minus Sign, Multiplication, Subtrahend