What is a difference?

The difference is the result of subtraction , how far apart two numbers are. You find it by taking the smaller number away from the larger one, or by counting up from one to the other.

Examples

• The difference between 10 and 4 is 6 (10 − 4 = 6).
• The difference between 15 and 15 is 0.
• 9 and 2 have a difference of 7.

Quick facts

• 'Find the difference' is a subtraction, even when the question doesn't say 'subtract'.
• On a number line, the difference is the distance between the two numbers.