The '''Difference''' of two numbers is the number obtained when the lesser number is subtracted from the greater number.
:The difference of 4 and 2 is: <math> 4 - 2 = 2 </math>
:The difference of -3 and -9 is: <math> -3 - (-9) = 6 </math> Another way of putting it, is that the difference is the [[absolute value]] of subtracting either number from the other. <math>\left |4 - 2 \right | = \left |2-4 \right | = 2</math>