Problem 58 - Prealgebra

Question

Perform the indicated operations. $$73-60$$

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The result of the operation is 13.

Step 1: Identify the Operation

Examine the given expression: \( 73 - 60 \). We need to perform subtraction here, which involves finding the difference between two numbers.

Step 2: Subtract the Numbers

Subtract the smaller number from the larger number in the expression. Compute \( 73 - 60 \) by subtracting 60 from 73.

Step 3: Calculate the Result

Perform the subtraction: \( 73 - 60 = 13 \). The result of this calculation is 13.

Key Concepts

Understanding Subtraction

Subtraction is one of the four fundamental arithmetic operations. It is the process of finding the difference between two numbers. In simpler terms, it shows us how much one number is less than another. When you see a minus sign (-), it indicates that subtraction is needed. This operation can also be viewed as taking away a number from another to see what remains.

When subtracting, it’s important to start with the larger number followed by the smaller number. This ensures that the end result, or the difference, is not negative (unless dealing with integers or more complex math involving negative numbers).

Key points to remember about subtraction:

• The number from which you subtract is called the minuend.
• The number that is subtracted is called the subtrahend.
• The result of a subtraction operation is called the difference.

In the example given, 73 is the minuend, 60 is the subtrahend, and 13 is the difference.

Following a Step-by-Step Solution

Solving problems step-by-step is a helpful approach, especially in math, where each procedure needs to be performed correctly to get the right answer. A step-by-step solution involves breaking down the problem into manageable parts.

Here is how a step-by-step approach works for subtraction:

• Identify the Operation: Recognize the subtraction operation based on the problem statement. The expression given here is 73 - 60.
• Subtract the Numbers: Perform the subtraction by arranging the numbers in vertical form if needed, aligning them by their units place. Here, subtract 60 from 73.
• Calculate the Result: Finally, perform the subtraction to find the difference. This means for this specific problem, you take away 60 from 73 to get the result, which is 13.

This logical approach ensures clarity and reduces mistakes, making it easier to tackle even more complicated problems in the future.

Accurately Finding the Difference

Finding the difference in subtraction simply means determining how much one number exceeds another. This is achieved by performing the subtraction operation. The term 'difference' is often used to describe the result of subtracting one numerical value from another.

In practical terms, calculating the difference involves:

• Double Checking the Subtraction: Verify your calculations to ensure accuracy.
• Reviewing Your Steps: Go through each step conducted, like identifying and performing the subtraction, to confirm everything is correct.
• Practicing Often: Regular subtraction practice reinforces understanding and speeds up calculation time.

Obtaining the correct difference is crucial, as errors in subtraction can lead to incorrect conclusions in both academic studies and real-world applications. For the practice problem, correctly performing the subtraction operation with the provided numbers yields a difference of 13.