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# Function subtract

Subtract two values, `x - y`.
For matrices, the function is evaluated element wise.


## Syntax

```js
math.subtract(x, y)
```

### Parameters

Parameter | Type | Description
--------- | ---- | -----------
`x` | number &#124; BigNumber &#124; Fraction &#124; Complex &#124; Unit &#124; Array &#124; Matrix |  Initial value
`y` | number &#124; BigNumber &#124; Fraction &#124; Complex &#124; Unit &#124; Array &#124; Matrix |  Value to subtract from `x`

### Returns

Type | Description
---- | -----------
number &#124; BigNumber &#124; Fraction &#124; Complex &#124; Unit &#124; Array &#124; Matrix |  Subtraction of `x` and `y`


## Examples

```js
math.subtract(5.3, 2);        // returns number 3.3

var a = math.complex(2, 3);
var b = math.complex(4, 1);
math.subtract(a, b);          // returns Complex -2 + 2i

math.subtract([5, 7, 4], 4);  // returns Array [1, 3, 0]

var c = math.unit('2.1 km');
var d = math.unit('500m');
math.subtract(c, d);          // returns Unit 1.6 km
```


## See also

[add](add.md)