noun
- the number from which another number is subtracted in a subtraction problem
Usage: mathematics
Examples
- In the equation 15 – 7 = 8, the number 15 is the minuend.
- To solve the problem, identify the minuend and the subtrahend first.
- The minuend is always the first number in a subtraction expression.
- When 20 is the minuend and 5 is the subtrahend, the difference is 15.
- Students often confuse the minuend with the subtrahend in word problems.
- The minuend must be greater than or equal to the subtrahend for a positive result.