Balance subtraction equations – up to three digits
Learn with an example
Which number makes the equation true?
915 − 82 = 840 − ?
First, subtract 915 − 82:
915 − 82 = 840 − ?
833 = 840 − ?
Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
840 − ? = 833
Subtract 833 from both sides:
840 − ? − 833 = 833 − 833
7 − ? = 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 7.
The missing number is 7.
Which number makes the equation true?
407 − 84 = ? − 94
First, subtract 407 − 84:
407 − 84 = ? − 94
323 = ? − 94
Find the number that makes the subtraction number sentence true.
? − 94 = 323
Add 94 to both sides:
? − 94 + 94 = 323 + 94
? = 417
The missing number is 417.
Which number makes the equation true?
928 − ? = 941 − 120
First, subtract 941 − 120:
928 − ? = 941 − 120
928 − ? = 821
Subtract 821 from both sides:
928 − ? − 821 = 821 − 821
107 − ? = 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 107.
The missing number is 107.
Let’s practice!