$-$

Definition

$-$ is the subtraction operator in algebra, used to indicate the removal or decrease of a quantity. It represents the inverse operation of addition, allowing for the calculation of differences between two values.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The subtraction operator $-$ is used to find the difference between two quantities or to represent the opposite of a value.
2. Subtraction can be used to solve for an unknown value in an equation, such as $x - 5 = 3$ where $x = 8$.
3. Negative numbers are represented using the subtraction operator, such as $-3$ which is the opposite of $3$.
4. The subtraction operator is often used in algebraic expressions to represent the removal or decrease of a quantity, such as $2x - 3y$.
5. Subtraction is a fundamental operation in algebra and is necessary for solving various types of equations and inequalities.

Review Questions

• Explain how the subtraction operator $-$ is used in the context of algebraic expressions.
  • The subtraction operator $-$ is used in algebraic expressions to represent the removal or decrease of a quantity. For example, in the expression $2x - 3y$, the $-3y$ term indicates that 3 times the value of $y$ is being subtracted from 2 times the value of $x$. This allows for the representation of complex mathematical relationships using variables and operations.
• Describe the relationship between addition and subtraction as inverse operations.
  • Addition and subtraction are inverse operations, meaning that one operation undoes the effect of the other. Subtraction can be used to undo the effect of addition, and vice versa. For instance, if $x + 5 = 8$, then $x = 8 - 5 = 3$. This inverse relationship between addition and subtraction is a fundamental concept in algebra and is used to solve various types of equations and inequalities.
• Analyze the role of the subtraction operator $-$ in solving algebraic equations and inequalities.
  • The subtraction operator $-$ plays a crucial role in solving algebraic equations and inequalities. By using subtraction, we can isolate the unknown variable and solve for its value. For example, to solve the equation $2x - 5 = 11$, we can subtract $5$ from both sides to get $2x = 16$, and then divide both sides by $2$ to find $x = 8$. Similarly, in the inequality $x - 3 geq 5$, we can subtract $3$ from both sides to get $x geq 8$, which represents the set of all values of $x$ that satisfy the inequality.

Related terms

Addition: The mathematical operation of combining two or more quantities to find their sum.

Inverse Operation:

An operation that undoes the effect of another operation, such as subtraction being the inverse of addition.

Algebraic Expression: A mathematical phrase that combines variables, constants, and operations, such as $-x + 5$.