Part 5/6:
If needed, we identify terms such as minuend (the top number), subtrahend (the bottom number), and difference (the result).
Example 2: Larger Numbers
Working with larger numbers involves the same principles. For instance:
- Problem: Subtract R$426 from R$2379
Similar techniques are applied, ensuring that we understand borrowing and appropriately shifting values to maintain accuracy.
The Importance of Order
A key takeaway in subtraction is that it does not follow the commutative property—meaning the order of numbers significantly impacts the result.
Trying to subtract a larger number from a smaller one will not yield a meaningful result in natural numbers, hence the larger number (minuend) must always appear on top in the operation.