Subtract numbers up to three digits – word problems

Understanding Subtraction:

  • Subtraction is taking one number away from another.
  • It is the opposite of addition.
  • The number from which we subtract is called the minuend.
  • The number that is subtracted is called the subtrahend.
  • The answer to a subtraction problem is called the difference.

Setting Up Word Problems:

  • Carefully read the word problem to understand what is being asked.
  • Identify the numbers involved in the problem.
  • Look for keywords like “how many more,” “left,” “difference,” or “take away” that indicate subtraction.

Solving Word Problems with Three-Digit Numbers:

  • Write down the three-digit numbers vertically, with the minuend on top and the subtrahend below.
  • Line up the digits according to place value (hundreds, tens, ones).

Subtracting Without Regrouping:

  • Start subtracting from the right (ones place).
  • Move to the tens place and then to the hundreds place.
  • Example: If you have 345 apples and give away 123, how many are left?
    • 345 (minuend)
    • 123 (subtrahend)
    • 222 (difference)

Subtracting with Regrouping (Borrowing):

  • If the digit in the minuend is smaller than the digit in the subtrahend, regroup.
  • Borrow from the next higher place value.
  • Example: 432 – 245
    • Start with the ones place: 2 – 5 (borrow from tens)
    • Now tens: 3 – 4 (borrow from hundreds)
    • Finally hundreds: 3 – 2
    • Difference: 187

Learn with an example

The Bowman family eats cherry and grape jam on their toast. They have a combined total of 965 grams of jam. If they have 60 grams of grape jam, how many grams of cherry jam do they have?

subtract the amount of grape jam from the total amount of jam.

Subtract:

9 6 5
− 6 0

Subtract the ones.

9 6 5
– 6 0
5

Subtract the tens.

9 6 5
– 6 0
0 5

Subtract the hundreds.

9 6 5
– 6 0
9 0 5

The difference is 905. The Bowman family has 905 grams of cherry jam.

Jon spilt a bag of 131 nuts, and a group of dogs ate all of them. The biggest dog ate 89 nuts. How many nuts did the other dogs eat?

​ ___ nuts

Subtract the number of nuts the biggest dog ate from the total number of nuts.

Subtract:

Subtract the ones. You need to carry over first. Subtract 11 − 9.

Subtract the tens. You need to carry over first. Subtract 12 − 8.

Subtract the hundreds.

The difference is 42. The other dogs ate 42 nuts.

There were a total of 774 books sitting on a bookcase in Greg’s bedroom, until he sold 47 of them. How many books are left on the bookcase?

​______ books

Subtract the number of books sold from the total number of books.

Subtract:

Subtract the ones. You need to carry over first. Subtract 14 − 7.

Subtract the tens. Subtract 6 − 4.

Subtract the hundreds.

The difference is 727. There are 727 books left on the bookcase.

Let’s practice!