To find the difference between two numbers, subtract the number with the smallest value from the number with the largest value. The product of this sum is the difference between the two numbers. For instance, this is how you would find the difference between 45 and 100: 100 - 45 = 55 Therefore the difference between 45 and 100 is 55.

Difference is a comparison between two or more sets. For example, if a set of 8 is compared with a set of 5, there is a difference of 3 objects between the sets. This may be recorded as 5 + 3 = 8 or 8 – 5 = 3 where 3 is the difference. In mental calculation it is often easier to regard a take away subtraction context as finding a difference.

The names of the numbers in a subtraction fact are: Minuend − Subtrahend = Difference Minuend : The number that is to be subtracted from. Subtrahend : The number that is to be subtracted. Difference: The result of subtracting one number from another.