Year 3 Subtraction Strategies

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Part 1: Mental and Written Subtraction

WALT: We Are Learning To select and use mental and written strategies to subtract 2- and 3-digit numbers.

Success criteria:

• I can partition numbers by place value to subtract mentally.

• I can use an efficient written method and regroup when needed.

• I can check whether my answer is reasonable.

Mental subtraction: partition by place value

Subtract the tens or hundreds first. Show a quick jotting if it helps.

1. 86 − 40 = ________

2. 127 − 20 = ________

3. 154 − 50 = ________

4. 93 − 30 = ________

5. 248 − 200 = ________

6. 176 − 70 = ________

7. 305 − 100 = ________

8. 462 − 60 = ________

Written subtraction

Set out each calculation vertically. Regroup when necessary.

9. 84 − 32 = ________

10. 167 − 45 = ________

11. 298 − 134 = ________

12. 356 − 123 = ________

13. 72 − 38 = ________

14. 241 − 86 = ________

15. 403 − 178 = ________

16. 620 − 247 = ________

Part 2: Apply Your Strategy

Missing-number sentences

Find the missing number. Use a strategy that makes sense to you.

17. ________ − 30 = 56

18. 145 − ________ = 100

19. ________ − 27 = 63

20. 300 − ________ = 184

Word problems

Show your working and write an answer sentence.

21. The school library had 235 books on a trolley. Students borrowed 78 books. How many books were left?

22. Mia had $50. She spent $27 on a book and $8 on a snack. How much money did she have left?

23. A bus travelled 312 kilometres. It travelled 146 kilometres before lunch and the rest after lunch. How many kilometres did it travel after lunch?

Support strategy

If you need help, draw an open number line. Start at the smaller number and count forwards to the larger number, or partition the number into hundreds, tens and ones. You may also use base-ten blocks.

Extension challenge

A sports club had 604 players registered. Then 278 players left, followed by another 96 players. How many players remained? Solve it in two different ways and explain which way was more efficient.