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'''Subtraction''' is the [[mathematics|mathematical]] [[function]] which involves the decrease of a value, the [[minuend]], by another value, the [[subtrahend]], which yields a directly related linear decrease in the overall value, except in the case of a negative subtrahend, in which case the value increases.

'''Subtraction''' is the [[mathematics|mathematical]] [[function]] which involves the decrease of a value, the [[minuend]], by another value, the [[subtrahend]], which yields a directly related linear decrease in the overall value, except in the case of a negative subtrahend, in which case the value increases.

==Subtraction as Negative Addition=-

==Subtraction as Negative Addition==

One problem with subtraction is that is is non-commutative, which excludes the operation from being considered in an abelian group. One way to circumvent this is to view all subtraction operations as additions of the negative. For example, 5 - 1 = 4 can not be commuted, as 1 - 5 = -4. However, if this equation is viewed a negative addition, i.e. 5 + (-1) = 4, it maintains commutativity, since (-1) + 5 = 4.

One problem with subtraction is that is is non-commutative, which excludes the operation from being considered in an abelian group. One way to circumvent this is to view all subtraction operations as additions of the negative. For example, 5 - 1 = 4 can not be commuted, as 1 - 5 = -4. However, if this equation is viewed a negative addition, i.e. 5 + (-1) = 4, it maintains commutativity, since (-1) + 5 = 4.

[[Category:Mathematics]]

[[Category:Mathematics]]