What is Minus?
Minus sign is used in mathematics for multiple representations.
- Subtraction operation
Minus represents the arithmetic operation of subtraction between two numbers. For example,
Minus sign also means taking something away from a given value.
For example, Darby has 6 gingerbread with her and she gives 3 gingerbread to Kelly.
So 6 minus 3 is equal to 3. Darby is left with 3 gingerbread.
- To represent negative integers
The minus sign is used to represent negative integers, whole numbers less than zero (no fractions).
For representing a negative integer, add a negative sign in front of a whole number.
For example, negative integer 3 is represented as: -3
- Mathematical operations on integers using ‘Minus’ sign
Multiplication of two negative numbers gives a positive.
Minus x Minus = Positive
For example,
– 4 -10 = + 40
- Use in measurement
For example, A temperature of – 3˚ C means 3 degrees below zero.
Another example,
The temperature is 4˚ C and then drops -10˚. What is the temperature now?
4 – 10 = -6
The answer is -6˚C
- To represent opposite directions
We use the minus sign to represent a negative direction on a graph paper.
It also runs in the negative direction.