The mathematical sign for subtraction, written as a single horizontal stroke.
Also known as: Subtraction sign, Negative sign
The minus sign marks subtraction and negative quantities. Unicode gives it its own code point, distinct from the hyphen, because the two look similar but are not interchangeable in typeset mathematics.
Indicates subtraction between two quantities, as in 5 − 3, and is read aloud as 'minus'.
Contexts: Mathematics
Marks a negative quantity or a decrease — a temperature below zero, a negative balance, a grade of B−.
Contexts: Mathematics
Is a distinct character from the hyphen-minus typed on most keyboards; the two are visually close, and substituting one for the other is the most common typesetting error in written mathematics.
The keyboard key produces U+002D HYPHEN-MINUS. Most software renders both, which is why the distinction is easy to miss.
Contexts: Mathematics
A single horizontal stroke, set at the height of the middle of a digit.
The plus–minus sign contains a minus stroke beneath a plus.
Subtraction against addition.