3-Digit Subtraction Worksheet for Kids
Subtracting three-digit numbers introduces children to borrowing, or regrouping, across place value columns, a more demanding skill than simple subtraction since it requires understanding that a ten can be 'broken' into ones when a column doesn't have enough to subtract from. For ages five to seven, this worksheet builds the procedural foundation for confident multi-digit subtraction going forward.
Part of the pack
Month 7: Foundational English Math Science | Ages 6-7Curriculum
How to use this worksheet
Look at the first subtraction problem together and identify the ones, tens, and hundreds columns before solving. Have your child start with the ones column, subtracting and borrowing from the tens column if the top number is smaller than the bottom number. Move to the tens column next, and then the hundreds column, working through each place value in order. Continue through the remaining problems, checking that any necessary borrowing was carried out correctly before moving to the next problem.
Materials needed
- Pencil
Extension activities
- •Create your own subtraction problems using real-life numbers, like the difference between two ages or prices.
- •Use manipulatives like blocks to model the subtraction, physically 'breaking' a ten into ones when borrowing is needed.
- •Play a subtraction race, solving problems against a timer to build speed once accuracy is solid.
- •Check subtraction answers by adding the result back to the number subtracted, confirming it matches the original.
Tips for parents and teachers
Encourage children to show their work and explain their steps, especially around borrowing, since talking through the regrouping process out loud is often what makes it finally make sense. Provide assistance as needed, but let your child attempt the borrowing step independently first before stepping in to correct it.
Written by
Hemsweta Jain · Teacher Cheena
MBA and Early Childhood Educator, teaching since 2014 · Founder of RaisoActive, Mumbai
Every RaisoActive worksheet is designed and checked by the founder before publishing.
Published · Last reviewed
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