Subtraction is a mathematical operator which allows you to find the difference between two values.
Since you have 20.92 mL of ribbon, and you want to find how much you cut when 15.62 is left, the equation is:
[tex]20.92 - 15.62 = 5.3[/tex]
The answer is 5.3 mL of ribbon, because, if you cut 5.3 mL of ribbon off of a 20.92 mL ribbon string, then you will be left with 15.62 mL of ribbon.
5.3mL of ribbon