Complete the subtraction sentence – up to three digits

key notes :

Understanding Subtraction

  1. Basic Concept:
    • Subtraction involves taking away a number (subtrahend) from another number (minuend) to find the difference.
    • The result is called the difference.
  2. Structure of a Subtraction Sentence:
    • Minuend – The number from which another number is to be subtracted.
    • Subtrahend – The number that is to be subtracted.
    • Difference – The result of the subtraction.

Completing Subtraction Sentences

  1. Identifying Missing Parts:
    • If the minuend and difference are given, find the subtrahend by subtracting the difference from the minuend.
    • If the minuend and subtrahend are given, find the difference by subtracting the subtrahend from the minuend.
    • If the subtrahend and difference are given, find the minuend by adding the difference to the subtrahend.
  2. Example Problems:
    • Minuend and Difference Given:
      • Sentence: _ – 45 = 37
      • Solution: 82 – 45 = 37
    • Minuend and Subtrahend Given:
      • Sentence: 95 – _ = 28
      • Solution: 95 – 28 = 67
    • Subtrahend and Difference Given:
      • Sentence: _ – 59 = 23
      • Solution: 82 – 59 = 23
  3. Steps to Solve:
    • Identify the missing value: Determine which part of the subtraction sentence is missing.
    • Use appropriate operation: Based on what is missing, use subtraction or addition to find the missing value.
    • Check your work: Verify the result by substituting the found value back into the original sentence.

Learn with an example

Fill in the missing number.

989 – ______ = 16

Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
989 – ? = 16
Subtract 16 from both sides:
989 – ? – 16 = 16 – 16
973 – ? = 0
Now, find the number that goes in the blank space. Remember, when a number is subtracted from itself, the difference is zero. The number in the blank space must be 973.
The missing number is 973.

Fill in the missing number.

_____ – 141 = 285

Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
? – 141 = 285
Add 141 to both sides:
? – 141 + 141 = 285 + 141
? = 426
The missing number is 426.

Fill in the missing number.

680 – ____ = 86

Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
680 – ? = 86
Subtract 86 from both sides:
680 – ? – 86 = 86 – 86
594 – ? = 0
Now, find the number that goes in the blank space. Remember, when a number is subtracted from itself, the difference is zero. The number in the blank space must be 594.
The missing number is 594.

Let’s practice!