Remainder vs. Reminder: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on October 13, 2023
Remainder refers to what is left when a part is taken; Reminder is something that causes one to remember.
Key Differences
Remainder and Reminder are distinct terms used in different contexts. A Remainder is what is left or remains after a part has been used, removed, or subtracted, typically in mathematics or daily usage, like the remainder of the day or the remainder in a division operation. In contrast, a Reminder is something that serves to remind, a signal or prompt to recall something forgotten or to do something omitted, such as a note or an alert on a device reminding about an appointment or task.
Remainder, being associated with remaining parts or leftovers, usually relates to numbers, quantities, or things. It highlights what’s left after some subtraction or allocation, emphasizing residual components or elements. Reminder, conversely, centers around memory and recall, focusing on facilitating remembering of information, tasks, events, or obligations, highlighting the mental or perceptual recall aspect.
In mathematical terms, the Remainder is the amount left over after division when one integer is divided by another. It is the residuary amount that couldn’t be divided completely. In contrast, a Reminder is not math-related but is more associated with cognitive processes, helping individuals remember specific information, schedules, or duties, reinforcing memory and awareness.
A Remainder can also represent the residual or leftover parts of a whole in general contexts, indicating parts that are surplus or exceeding a certain requirement or allocation. On the other hand, a Reminder is primarily about mental recall and often comes in the form of notes, alerts, or other prompts, aiming to facilitate memory retrieval and to prevent forgetfulness.
In essence, while Remainder is about residual parts and is more quantitatively oriented, focusing on what’s left after certain parts are removed or allocated, Reminder is qualitatively oriented, focusing on memory and recall, serving to remind people of information, tasks, or obligations.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
What is left after a part is taken
Something that serves to remind
Context of Usage
Mathematics, daily usage
Cognitive processes, daily usage
Nature
Quantitative
Qualitative
Primary Focus
Residual components or elements
Memory and recall
Relation
Related to numbers, quantities, or things
Related to information, tasks, events
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Remainder and Reminder Definitions
Remainder
Remainder denotes surplus parts exceeding a certain requirement or allocation.
The remainder of the funds will be allocated to charity.
Reminder
Reminder can be a note or signal to help recall something forgotten.
I wrote a reminder to call my parents.
Remainder
Remainder is what is left after a part has been removed or used.
I spent the remainder of the day reading a book.
Reminder
Reminder is something that causes one to remember.
Set a reminder to buy groceries.
Remainder
Remainder can refer to the residual or leftover parts of a whole.
The remainder of the cake was shared among the children.
Reminder
Reminder is any prompt that helps in remembering information, tasks, or events.
The calendar reminder helped me remember the meeting date.
Remainder
Remainder represents what continues to exist or is left after a subtraction or allocation.
We will continue the journey with the remainder of the group.
Reminder
Reminder can be an object kept to prompt the memory of something or someone.
The photo serves as a reminder of our friendship.
Remainder
Something left over after other parts have been taken away.
Reminder
Reminder serves to reinforce memory and awareness about something.
The notification acted as a reminder for my appointment.
Remainder
The number left over when one integer is divided by another
The remainder plus the product of the quotient times the divisor equals the dividend.
Reminder
To cause to remember; put in mind
Must remind him to call.
Reminded her of college days.
Remainder
The number obtained when one number is subtracted from another; the difference.
Reminder
Someone or something that reminds.
He left a note as a reminder to get groceries.
Remainder
(Law) An estate in property that takes effect after the expiration of another estate, as where one party is given the right to occupy a property for that party's lifetime, and then another party is given the same right after the first party's death.
Reminder
(finance) Writing that reminds of open payments.
She ignored first the reminder of 80 cents. At the end, she was sentenced to pay 200 euros!
Remainder
A book that remains with a publisher after sales have fallen off, usually sold at a reduced price.
Reminder
One who, or that which, reminds; that which serves to awaken remembrance.
Remainder
To sell or dispose of as a remainder.
Reminder
A message that helps you remember something;
He ignored his wife's reminders
Remainder
A part or parts remaining after some has/have been removed.
My son ate part of his cake and I ate the remainder.
You can have the remainder of my clothes.
Reminder
An experience that causes you to remember something
Remainder
(mathematics) The amount left over after subtracting the divisor as many times as possible from the dividend without producing a negative result. If n (dividend) and d (divisor) are integers, then n can always be expressed in the form n = dq + r, where q (quotient) and r (remainder) are also integers and 0 ≤ r < d.
17 leaves a remainder of 2 when divided by 3.
11 divided by 2 is 5 remainder 1.
Reminder
Someone who gives a warning so that a mistake can be avoided
Remainder
(mathematics) The number left over after a simple subtraction
10 minus 4 leaves a remainder of 6
Remainder
(commerce) Excess stock items left unsold and subject to reduction in price.
I got a really good price on this shirt because it was a remainder.
Remainder
(legal) An estate in expectancy which only comes in its heir's possession after an estate created by the same instrument has been determined
Remainder
Remaining.
Remainder
To mark or declare items left unsold as subject to reduction in price.
The bookstore remaindered the unsold copies of that book at the end of summer.
Remainder
Anything that remains, or is left, after the separation and removal of a part; residue; remnant.
If these decoctions be repeated till the water comes off clear, the remainder yields no salt.
Remainder
The quantity or sum that is left after subtraction, or after any deduction.
Remainder
An estate in expectancy, generally in land, which becomes an estate in possession upon the determination of a particular prior estate, created at the same time, and by the same instrument; for example, if land be conveyed to A for life, and on his death to B, A's life interest is a particuar estate, and B's interest is a remainder, or estate in remainder.
Remainder
Remaining; left; left over; refuse.
Which is as dry as the remainder biscuitAfter a voyage.
Remainder
Something left after other parts have been taken away;
There was no remainder
He threw away the rest
He took what he wanted and I got the balance
Remainder
The part of the dividend that is left over when the dividend is not evenly divisible by the divisor
Remainder
The number that remains after subtraction; the number that when added to the subtrahend gives the minuend
Remainder
A piece of cloth that is left over after the rest has been used or sold
Remainder
Sell cheaply as remainders;
The publisher remaindered the books
Remainder
In mathematics, Remainder is the amount left over after division of one number by another.
When 7 is divided by 3, the remainder is 1.
FAQs
Does Remainder refer to what is left after part of a whole is taken?
Yes, Remainder refers to what is left or continues to exist after part has been used or taken.
Is a Reminder something that serves to remind or cause one to remember?
Absolutely, a Reminder serves to remind or help individuals recall information, tasks, or events.
Can a Reminder be in the form of a note or an alert?
Yes, a Reminder can be a note, an alert, or any other prompt to facilitate memory recall.
Can Remainder represent the surplus parts of a whole?
Yes, Remainder can represent the surplus or residual parts of a whole.
Does Reminder focus on facilitating remembering of information or tasks?
Indeed, Reminder focuses on facilitating the remembering of information, tasks, or obligations.
Is Reminder qualitatively oriented, centering around memory and recall?
Correct, Reminder is qualitatively oriented and centers around memory and recall.
Is Remainder specifically used in mathematical contexts?
Yes, in mathematics, Remainder is the amount left over after division.
Can a Reminder be an object kept to jog memory?
Indeed, a Reminder can be an object, note, or any form of prompt kept to jog memory.
Can a Reminder be used to prevent forgetfulness?
Yes, a Reminder serves to reinforce memory and prevent forgetfulness.
Can Remainder also refer to leftover parts exceeding certain requirements?
Absolutely, Remainder can refer to parts that are leftover or exceed certain requirements or allocations.
Is Remainder more quantitatively oriented?
Yes, Remainder is more quantitatively oriented, focusing on residual elements or quantities.
Does Remainder imply what continues to exist after certain parts are removed?
Yes, Remainder implies what continues to exist or is left after certain parts are removed or used.
Is the concept of Remainder related to subtraction or allocation?
Yes, the concept of Remainder is related to what’s left after subtraction or allocation.
Is Reminder primarily about reinforcing memory and awareness?
Yes, Reminder is primarily about reinforcing memory and awareness of tasks, events, or information.
Can the Remainder be the residual components after an allocation?
Certainly, Remainder can be the residual components or elements after an allocation.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
