Problem 150 - Prealgebra

Question

In the following exercises, model the subtraction. $$7-5$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

2

Step 1: Identify the numbers

Recognize the numbers involved in the subtraction problem. Here, the numbers are 7 and 5.

Step 2: Understand subtraction

Realize that subtraction means finding the difference between two numbers. The first number (7) is called the minuend, and the second number (5) is called the subtrahend.

Step 3: Set up the problem

Write the subtraction operation: 7 - 5

Step 4: Subtract the numbers

Subtract the subtrahend (5) from the minuend (7): 7 - 5 = 2

Key Concepts

Understanding the Minuend

The minuend is the first number in a subtraction problem. In the exercise 7-5, the minuend is 7. This is the number from which another number is subtracted. Think of the minuend as the starting point or the total amount you have before taking something away. For instance, if you have 7 apples and eventually give away some, you begin with those 7 apples.

What is the Subtrahend?

The subtrahend is the second number in a subtraction problem. In this exercise, the subtrahend is 5. It’s the number being subtracted from the minuend. If we think about our example with apples, the subtrahend would be the 5 apples you give away. The key here is that the subtrahend represents the part that’s being taken away from the whole.

Finding the Difference

Once we understand both the minuend and subtrahend, the next step is finding the difference. The difference is the result of the subtraction operation. It shows how much is left after taking the subtrahend away from the minuend. In the case of 7-5, the difference is 2. This means after giving away 5 apples from an initial 7, you will have 2 apples left. The difference helps us understand the remaining quantity.