Definition of Difference

Difference in math can be studied through different definitions or statements:

1. A related process in which a quantity from another quantity is to be taken away is called a difference.
2. Difference is a process to compare the two objects which are in same units.
3. A method to reduce some quantity from the given total collection is called difference.

There are different methods of subtraction used. Traditionally, we do subtraction by decrement method. We can find the difference between two numbers by doing backward counting. But in the case of complex subtraction we go for Column subtraction.

Example 1: (backward counting)
        There are 10 bananas in the basket, we need to take away 4 bananas from it. How many bananas will be left behind in the basket?
By backward counting method if 4 bananas are taken from a basket of 10 bananas, we simply count down 4 digits from 10 i.e, 9, 8, 7, 6. So there are 6 bananas left behind in the basket.

Example 2: (column subtraction)