Parts of an Equation: Addition and Subtraction

The first step to truly understanding how to add and subtract is to understand the parts of an equation!

Addition -

A simple addition problem usually looks like this

6+2=8

The + sign is called a plus sign. This sign means add.

The = is called an equal sign. This shows the answer to the problem you have just completed.

Both the 6 and the 2 are called addends in addition. The two number that will be added

The 8 in this problem is called the sum. The sum is the answer you got to by adding two or more numbers together.

Subtraction -

A simple subtraction problem usually looks like this

4-1=3

The - sign is called a minus sign. This sign means subtract.

The = is called an equal sign. Just like addition, this shows the answer to the problem you have just completed.

In subtraction the number 4 is called a minued. This is the number that comes first and is usually the larger number.

Unlike addition the 1 has a different name then the four. It is called a subtrahend and is usually the smaller number.

The 3 in this problem is called the difference. The difference is the answer you got by subtracting two or more numbers together.