minus sign
noun
: a sign − used in mathematics to indicate subtraction (as in 8−6=2) or a negative quantity (as in −10°)
called also negative sign
Examples of minus sign in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Eventually, the plus and minus signs became universal, as did the English symbol for equality, but only after decades of famous mathematicians competing in these popularity contests to set the trends.
—
Max Springer, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025
That method has worked in Ars' testing, as has appending practically any other text string after a minus sign at the end of a search, for some reason.
—Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
The spread is typically shown with a minus sign in front of the favorite and a plus sign in front of the underdog.
—Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
After locating the battery, remove the negative cable first (it should be marked with a minus sign), then remove the positive cable.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024
For example, Sutherland noted that y2 = x3 – 11x + 6 has conductor 17, but flipping the minus sign to a plus sign, y2 = x3 + 11x + 6 has conductor 100,736.
—Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
In math, whenever a student drew a line in an equals sign, a minus sign, or a division sign, she was required to use a ruler.
—Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
So that’s the exclusion principle: given that minus sign under exchange, two particles can never be in precisely the same quantum state.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2012
Both are solutions to Einstein’s relativity theory, differing only by a minus sign.
—Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 30 Nov. 2022
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Max Springer, Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025
That method has worked in Ars' testing, as has appending practically any other text string after a minus sign at the end of a search, for some reason.
—Ars Technica, 31 Jan. 2025
The spread is typically shown with a minus sign in front of the favorite and a plus sign in front of the underdog.
—Giovanni Malloy, Forbes, 10 Oct. 2024
After locating the battery, remove the negative cable first (it should be marked with a minus sign), then remove the positive cable.
—Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Sep. 2024
For example, Sutherland noted that y2 = x3 – 11x + 6 has conductor 17, but flipping the minus sign to a plus sign, y2 = x3 + 11x + 6 has conductor 100,736.
—Lyndie Chiou, Quanta Magazine, 5 Mar. 2024
In math, whenever a student drew a line in an equals sign, a minus sign, or a division sign, she was required to use a ruler.
—Peter Hessler, The New Yorker, 26 June 2023
So that’s the exclusion principle: given that minus sign under exchange, two particles can never be in precisely the same quantum state.
—Sean Carroll, Discover Magazine, 23 Feb. 2012
Both are solutions to Einstein’s relativity theory, differing only by a minus sign.
—Natalie Wolchover, Quanta Magazine, 30 Nov. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Minus sign.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/minus%20sign. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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