by taking the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

'by taking the difference' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to explain the result of subtracting one number or variable from another. For example, "By taking the difference of 42 and 24, we can determine that the result is 18."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Moreover, the first term can be removed by taking the difference between two image sensor responses that have different spectral sensitivities.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Current reference was obtained by taking the difference of load current and its fundamental harmonic.

International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems

Backbone amide 1DNH RDCs were measured by taking the difference in 1JNH scalar couplings in aligned and isotropic media40.

Nature

In the pid_controller function, the error of the angle is calculated by taking the difference between the sensor_index value and the init_sensor_index value.

Cornell University

The position of the robot relative to the line is able to be estimated by taking the difference between the two center sensor readings.

Cornell University

The MO formed by taking the difference of the two 1s orbitals also has cylindrical symmetry and hence is also a σ orbital.

Britannica

By taking the difference in vote share between Trump and Romney, we tried to capture Republican voters' sensitivity to the Obama administration's health-care policies.

The Washington Post

This study proposes a control strategy of vehicular traffic based on the lattice hydrodynamic model by taking the difference of density change rate as a feedback signal.

Communications in Nonlinear Science and Numerical Simulation

The banks make their profits by taking the difference between the low interest rate they pay you on savings, and the slightly higher interest rate they charge other people to borrow money.

The Guardian - Business

PI combines the merits of NDVI and normalized difference infrared index (NDII) by taking the difference of squared greenness (from NDVI) and wetness (from NDII) to remove the soil and snow cover dynamics from key vegetation LSP cycles.

Remote Sensing of Environment

The upward longwave radiation is calculated by taking the difference between the incident and absorbed fluxes.

Geoscience Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by taking the difference", ensure that the context clearly defines what two quantities are being compared. Explicitly stating the elements being subtracted enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "by taking the difference" without specifying what is being differenced. For instance, instead of "The result was found by taking the difference", write "The result was found by taking the difference between the pre-test and post-test scores."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by taking the difference" serves as an adverbial phrase indicating the method by which a result or value is determined. It specifies that subtraction is the operation used to obtain a specific result. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a standard construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by taking the difference" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, primarily found in scientific and academic contexts to describe a method of calculation. It explains how a result is obtained through subtraction, clarifying methodologies in technical explanations. While suitable for formal writing, it's less common in informal settings. When using this phrase, clearly specify what two quantities are being compared to prevent vagueness. Remember, according to Ludwig's examples, its authoritative use is validated across diverse credible platforms.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by calculating the difference

Emphasizes the computational aspect of finding the difference.

by subtracting

Focuses directly on the act of subtraction, omitting the broader concept of "taking a difference".

by assessing the delta

Uses "delta" as a technical term for difference, common in scientific contexts.

by determining the margin

Specifically used when the difference represents a margin or gap.

by computing the offset

Implies a shift or displacement that is being quantified.

by finding the disparity

Highlights the inequality or variation between two values.

by obtaining the variation

Emphasizes change or fluctuation between two points.

by measuring the gap

Suitable when the difference represents a literal or figurative gap.

by resolving the differential

Suggests finding a solution or answer by understanding the difference.

by deducing the remainder

Focuses on what is left after subtraction.

FAQs

How can I use "by taking the difference" in a sentence?

You can use "by taking the difference" to describe how a value or result is obtained through subtraction. For example, "We calculated the profit "by taking the difference" between revenue and expenses."

What's a good alternative to "by taking the difference"?

Alternatives include "by subtracting", "by calculating the difference", or simply "by finding the margin", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "by taking the difference" in formal writing?

"By taking the difference" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific and technical contexts where precise descriptions of calculations are necessary. It's less common in conversational or informal writing.

Is there a more concise way to express "by taking the difference"?

Yes, in some cases, you can simply use "subtracting" or "differencing" to achieve a more concise phrasing, such as "The change was determined "by subtracting" the initial value from the final value".