Editing Subtraction (section)

==Notation and terminology==
Subtraction is usually written using the [[minus sign]] "−" between the terms; that is, in [[infix notation]]. The result is expressed with an [[equals sign]]. For example, <math>2 - 1 = 1 </math> (pronounced as "two minus one equals one") and <math>4 - 6 = -2 </math> (pronounced as "four minus six equals negative two"). Nonetheless, some situations where subtraction is "understood", even though no symbol appears; in [[accounting]], a column of two numbers, with the lower number in red, usually indicates that the lower number in the column is to be subtracted, with the difference written below, under a line.{{sfnp|Cole|1921|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=ZezuAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA145 145]}}

The number being subtracted is the '''subtrahend''', while the number it is subtracted from is the '''minuend'''. The result is the '''difference''', that is:{{sfnp|Musser|Peterson|Burger|2013|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8jh7DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA94 94]}}
<math display="block"> {\rm minuend} - {\rm subtrahend} = {\rm difference} </math>.

All of this terminology derives from [[Latin]]. "[[wikt:subtraction|Subtraction]]" is an [[English language|English]] word derived from the Latin [[verb]] ''subtrahere'', which in turn is a [[compound (linguistics)|compound]] of ''sub'' "from under" and ''trahere'' "to pull". Thus, to subtract is to ''draw from below'', or to ''take away''.<ref>{{OED|Subtraction}}</ref> Using the [[gerundive]] [[Affix|suffix]] ''-nd'' results in "subtrahend", "thing to be subtracted".<ref group=lower-alpha>"Subtrahend" is shortened by the inflectional Latin suffix -us, e.g. remaining un-declined as in ''numerus subtrahendus'' "the number to be subtracted".</ref> Likewise, from ''minuere'' "to reduce or diminish", one gets "minuend", which means "thing to be diminished".