Year 3

Subtraction • Primary Maths

Year 3 Subtraction

Some subtraction questions cross more than one place value. These three methods keep track of each part of 324 − 158.

Open Year 3 lessons All Subtraction

645 − 20 = 625✓

Maths at a glance

See the Year 3 idea

Place value645 − 20 = 625

Regroup503 − 178 = 325

Hundreds900 − 300 = 600

Checkdifference + part

Try it together

Three ways to work out 324 − 158

324 − 158 = ?

1 Regroup the place values

Hundreds2Tens11Ones14

Rename 324 as 2 hundreds, 11 tens and 14 ones. Take away 1 hundred, 5 tens and 8 ones.

1 hundred + 6 tens + 6 ones = 166

2 Count up to find the gap

158 + 2 = 160
160 + 140 = 300
300 + 24 = 324

Count from 158 up to 324. Add the jumps to find the difference.

2 + 140 + 24 = 166

3 Subtract a nearby number

324 − 160 = 164
164 + 2 = 166

160 is 2 more than 158. Subtract 160, then put back the 2 you took away extra.

324 − 158 = 166

Your turn

Have a go

Choose a method. Work it out on paper or with objects, then check below.

1. 243 − 126

Show answer 1

117 — Rename 243 as 2 hundreds, 3 tens and 13 ones.

2. 402 − 198

Show answer 2

204 — Subtract 200, then add 2 back.

For teachers and parents

Ask your learner to explain why 2 hundreds, 11 tens and 14 ones still make 324. Use blocks if the exchange is hard to picture.

A point to check

You cannot just subtract the smaller digit from the larger one in each column. Rename a ten or hundred when you need to.

Need an easier starting point?

Try 54 − 28 with tens and ones before working with hundreds.

Year 3 refers to the learning sequence on iLearn Maths. Year and grade labels differ around the world, so choose by the skills and examples that suit your learner.

Choose your practice

Subtracting with place value: interactive lesson 29 · worksheet 29
Regrouping in subtraction: interactive lesson 30 · worksheet 30

The examples and short practice above are free to use. Full lesson and worksheet access depends on your account or subscription.

From the Year 3 pathway

Learning focus

Lesson 19Review addition and subtraction facts to 20

Lesson 24Subtract ones from a three-digit number

Lesson 25Subtract tens from a three-digit number

Lesson 26Subtract hundreds from a three-digit number

Lesson 29Subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value

Lesson 30Regroup when subtracting across place values

Key skills

What learners practise

addition and subtraction facts to 20subtract ones from a three-digit numbersubtract tens from a three-digit numbersubtract hundreds from a three-digit numbersubtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value

Ready to practise Year 3 subtraction?

Choose a lesson from the Year 3 learning pathway.

Year 3 lessons