The quantity that is subtracted from another quantity.
In a subtraction problem, the subtrahend is the number we are taking away. It is always the second number in a subtraction expression.
For example, in 9 – 4 = 5:
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9 is the minuend (the number we start with)
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4 is the subtrahend (the number being subtracted)
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5 is the difference (the result)
A helpful way to remember it: the subtrahend is the number that gets subtracted. It is the amount being removed from the minuend.
Knowing the names of all three parts of a subtraction problem — minuend, subtrahend, and difference — helps us reason clearly about how subtraction works, check our work, and solve problems where one of the parts is unknown.
When Do Students Learn About the Subtrahend?
Students work with subtrahends from the moment they begin subtracting, even before the term is introduced.
Grades K–2 – Learning Subtraction
Students subtract small numbers and develop a feel for the number being taken away through objects, drawings, and number sentences.
Grades 3–5 – Naming the Parts of Subtraction
Students begin using precise vocabulary for the parts of a subtraction problem, including minuend, subtrahend, and difference, as they work with larger numbers and multi-step calculations.
Grades 6+ – Subtrahend in Algebraic Expressions
Students encounter the subtrahend in algebraic contexts, such as expressions like x – 12, where the subtrahend may be a variable, a constant, or a more complex expression.
