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Thought-Process to Discover Knowledge

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Books and other education websites provide "matter-of-fact" knowledge. Instead, nubtrek provides a thought-process to discover knowledge.

In each of the topic, the outline of the thought-process, for that topic, is provided for learners and educators.

Read in the blogs more about the unique learning experience at nubtrek.
mathsWhole NumbersWhole numbers addition and subtraction

### Subtraction: First Principles

This page explains that taking away from a quantity, a part of a quantity is subtraction in first principles. Subtraction is also explained using number-line.

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There are 7 cars shown in the figure. Out of which 4 are taken away. What is the number of cars remaining?

• 3
• 3
• 4

The answer is '3'

Considering taking away 4 cars from a group of 7 cars. 4 is taken away from 7 and the counting is carried out on the remaining cars from 1 to 3. The resulting count is 3.

A pencil is 7 centimeters in length. A person used 4 centimeters of that pencil. What is the length of the remaining pencil?

• 3
• 3
• 4

The answer is '3'

The length of the pencil is 7 centimeters. The length used up is 4 centimeters. The remaining pencil is measured and the measure at the end is 3. The remaining length is 3 centimeters.

A part of the count or measure of quantities can be taken-away or subtracted.

The subtraction results in count or measure of the remaining quantity.

What is the difference 7-4? Subtraction in number line.

• 3
• 3
• 4

The answer is '3'. Subtraction 7-4 is given in number-line. The count is started from 7 and 4 backward-jumps are made to land in 3. The result of the subtraction is 3.

Which of the following is a meaning for the word "subtraction"?

• removing part from a quantity and measuring / counting the remaining quantity
• removing part from a quantity and measuring / counting the remaining quantity
• grip or friction in pulling underwater

The answer is "removing part from a quantity and measuring / counting the remaining quantity". The word "subtraction" is derived from root word meaning take away; remove.

What is the term used to refer "removing part from a quantity and measuring / counting the remaining quantity"?

• Pronunciation : Say the answer once
Spelling: Write the answer once

The answer is "subtraction".

Subtraction - First Principles : Two numbers are considered, each of which represents a count or measurement. From one amount represented by the first number, the amount represented by the second is taken away to form a result representing the remaining amount. The count or measurement of the remaining amount is the result of subtraction.

eg: 20-13 = 7

20 is the minuend

13 is the subtrahend

7 is the difference

Which of the following is a meaning for the word "minuend"?

• a number from which another number is subtracted
• a number from which another number is subtracted
• a number that is subtracted from another number

The answer is "a number from which another number is subtracted".

What is the term used to refer "a number from which another number is subtracted"?

• Pronunciation : Say the answer once
Spelling: Write the answer once

The answer is "minuend".

Which of the following is a meaning for the word "subtrahend"?

• a number from which another number is subtracted
• a number that is subtracted from another number
• a number that is subtracted from another number

The answer is "a number that is subtracted from another number".

What is the term used to refer "a number that is subtracted from another number"?

• Pronunciation : Say the answer once
Spelling: Write the answer once

The answer is "subtrahend".

Which of the following is a meaning for the word "difference"?

• the result of subtraction
• the result of subtraction
• the higher of minuend and subtrahend

The answer is "the result of subtraction".

What is the term used to refer "the result of subtraction"?

• Pronunciation : Say the answer once
Spelling: Write the answer once

The answer is "difference".

Solved Exercise Problem:

What is the difference 4-2?

• 2
• 2
• 6

The answer is '2'.

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