- facts for kids
The symbol - is super useful! You see it all the time in writing and math. It can be called a dash, a minus sign, or a hyphen, depending on how it's used. Let's explore what each of these means!
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What Does the Dash Do?
A dash is like a little pause or an extra explanation in a sentence. It helps to make your writing clearer or to add a sudden thought.
Using a Dash in Sentences
When you use a dash, it often shows a break in thought or introduces something important.
- It can show a sudden change in topic.
- It can add more information to a sentence.
- It can also highlight something surprising.
For example, you might write: "My favorite color is blue—but I also like green!" Here, the dash adds a quick extra thought.
Understanding the Minus Sign
In mathematics, the - symbol is called a minus sign. It has two main jobs.
Minus for Subtraction
The most common use is for subtraction. When you see it between two numbers, it means you need to take the second number away from the first.
- For example, in "5 - 2 = 3", the minus sign tells you to subtract 2 from 5.
Minus for Negative Numbers
The minus sign also shows that a number is a negative number. Negative numbers are less than zero.
- For example, "-5" means "negative five."
- You often see negative numbers when talking about temperature, like "-10 degrees Celsius," which means it's very cold!
How We Use the Hyphen
A hyphen is a short line that connects words or parts of words. It's usually shorter than a dash.
Connecting Words with a Hyphen
Hyphens are often used to join two or more words together to make a single idea or a compound word.
- For example, "well-known" is a compound word.
- "Part-time job" uses a hyphen to connect "part" and "time."
Breaking Words at the End of a Line
Sometimes, a word is too long to fit at the end of a line in a book or document. A hyphen can be used to break the word and continue it on the next line.
- You might see "com-puter" if "computer" doesn't fit.
- This helps keep the text neat and easy to read.
