Problem 151 - Prealgebra

Question

In the following exercises, model the subtraction. $$18-5$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The result of 18 - 5 is 13.

Step 1: Identify the Numbers

Recognize the two numbers involved in the subtraction problem. Here, the numbers are 18 (minuend) and 5 (subtrahend).

Step 2: Set Up the Subtraction Problem

Write the equation in the standard subtraction format: 18 - 5

Step 3: Perform the Subtraction

Subtract the subtrahend (5) from the minuend (18). Perform the operation: 18 - 5 = 13

Step 4: Verify the Answer

Check the result by adding the subtrahend to the difference. If the sum equals the minuend, the subtraction is correct: 13 + 5 = 18 (which matches the original minuend).

Key Concepts

minuend

In any subtraction problem, the minuend is the number from which another number is subtracted. It is the starting point and is usually the larger number in the context of basic arithmetic subtraction. For example, in the problem 18 - 5, the minuend is 18. This is because 18 is the number you are starting with before subtracting 5.
When writing the subtraction equation, the minuend is always placed first. Understanding this concept ensures that the subtraction is set up correctly.
It's important to identify the minuend correctly as it affects the entire calculation. The minuend can be a whole number, a decimal, or even a fractional number depending on the complexity of the problem.

subtrahend

The subtrahend is the number that you subtract from the minuend. It’s the quantity being taken away. Using our example, in 18 - 5, the subtrahend is 5. Knowing which number is the subtrahend is essential because this is the number that reduces or takes away from the minuend.
Like the minuend, the subtrahend can take on various forms such as whole numbers, decimals, or fractions.
When placed in the subtraction equation, the subtrahend always follows the subtraction symbol (-). Properly positioning the subtrahend ensures that your final answer (difference) is correct. The subtrahend plays a crucial role in determining how much remains after the subtraction.

difference

The result of a subtraction operation is known as the difference. It shows how much remains after the subtrahend is subtracted from the minuend. For instance, in the problem 18 - 5, the difference is 13, which is the amount you get after subtracting 5 from 18.
To ensure the accuracy of your subtraction, you can verify your answer by adding the subtrahend back to the difference. If the sum equals the original minuend, then the subtraction is correct.
For our example:

• Subtraction: 18 - 5 = 13
• Verification: 13 + 5 = 18

Here, 13 is confirmed as the correct difference since 13 + 5 reverts to the original minuend, 18. Being able to reliably identify and verify the difference bolsters confidence in basic subtraction operations.