Difference

The difference of two numbers is the number obtained when the lesser number is subtracted from the greater number.

The difference of 4 and 2 is: <math> 4 - 2 = 2 </math>

The difference of -3 and -9 is: <math> -3 - (-9) = 6 </math>

Another way of putting it, is that the difference is the absolute value of subtracting either number from the other.

<math>\left |4 - 2 \right | = \left |2-4 \right | = 2</math>

The number being subtracted is the subtrahend, the number being subtracted from is the minuend.