第 11 条 · 减号

When it is required, on the contrary, to subtract one given number from another, this operation is denoted by the sign -, which signifies minus, and is placed before the number to be subtracted.

相反，当需要从一个给定的数中减去另一个数时，这个运算用符号 - 表示；它读作 minus，也就是“减”，并放在要被减去的数前面。

Thus, 8 - 5 signifies that the number 5 is to be taken from the number 8; which being done, there remain 3.

所以，8 - 5 表示要从 8 中取走 5；这样做以后，剩下 3。

In like manner 12 - 7 is the same as 5; and 20 - 14 is the same as 6, &c.

同样，12 - 7 等于 5；20 - 14 等于 6，等等。