Three-Digit Subtraction Worksheets

Three-digit subtraction can be complicated for students who do not have good number sense or for those who cannot use a variety of strategies when adding or subtracting. The three-digit subtraction worksheets and activities in this unit focus on developing number sense using a variety of three-digit subtraction problems that increase in complexity.

The problems move from simple (subtracting 10s) to complex (regrouping) while practicing four main strategies: Use a Number Line, Use Base-10 Blocks, Break Apart or Ungroup, Subtracting with Vs, and Think Addition. The strategies are generally repeated at each level so that students learn to apply them to different problems.

This product compliments my Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction Worksheets and Activities and Three-Digit Addition Worksheets. All the two-digit and three-digit resources follow a similar format using similar models and strategies.

Our Three-Digit Subtraction Math Centers also align with this resource.   It has similar levels, strategies and models to the worksheets, but in a math center format. You can see many photos of the math centers in this blog post. 

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What’s Included in the Three-Digit Subtraction Worksheets Resource

Included in this resource are over 200 pages of three-digit subtraction practice at four different levels, as well as editable templates that you can use to create your own worksheets for your classroom.

The levels of three-digit subtraction problems are:

• Subtract 100s
• Subtract 100s & Tens (no regrouping)
• No Regrouping
• Regrouping (with four sub-levels)
  • A: Regrouping 10s to 1s only
  • B: Regrouping 100s to 10s only
  • C: Regrouping 100s to 10s OR 10s to 1s (one place only)
  • D: Regrouping ALL Places & Across Os

The strategies included are similar to the Three-Digit Addition Strategies: 

• Use a Number Line
• Use Base-10 Blocks
• Break Apart (Ungroup) 
• Subtract with Vs (Tens to Tens & Ones to Ones)
• Compare the Strategies

Here are a few examples of the models and strategies included on the worksheets.

Use a Number Line to Subtract Three-Digit Numbers

Using a number line is presented to students in several different ways.  One way gives students more direction in making jumps of 100, 10 and 1.  Another way gives less direction and more blank spaces. 

There are also variations for counting up and counting down on a number line.

The Number Line worksheets are included at all four levels.   

Break Apart Subtraction Worksheets

Another place value strategy used throughout this resource is breaking apart the numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones. I’ve included quite a few break apart subtraction worksheets where students can work thought this strategy and strengthen their place value and mental math skills.

For this strategy, students break apart each number in the subtraction problem, subtract each place, then put the number back together. 

One worksheet below shows regrouping from one place value to the other.  If students are comfortable,  you might also encourage them to use negative numbers instead of regrouping. 

Subtract Using Vs

Subtract using Vs is another place value strategy but without the scaffolds of expanding each number.  The expansion is “held” in the student’s head during the place value calculation.  What is written is the difference after subtracting.  

Some of these worksheets do use negative numbers.   I have provided and indicated the addition or subtraction sign on the worksheet and also included blank worksheets where students will have to choose the appropriate sign.

Using negative numbers is not a skill normally taught in second grade, and I wouldn’t recommend formally teaching it.  However, many students can learn that the minus sign is distributed across all the places and if what is subtracted is larger, the difference needs to be subtracted again. Moving through these logical discussions helps students understand multi-digit subtraction at a deeper level and gives them a good foundation for higher level math. 

Negative numbers not a necessary discussion, but some students will resonate with this strategy more than the traditional algorithm. It makes more sense to them because it’s using whole numbers, not single digits within a place. 

Compare Three-Digit Subtraction Strategies

Within each level or section are pages where students do the same problem using two different strategies.  Students then indicate which strategy they like the best. 

None of these worksheets are focused on finding the answer to the problem but instead help students explain their thinking and learn different strategies that may be more efficient or make more sense to them. 

How to Purchase the Three-Digit Subtraction Worksheets

The Three-Digit Subtraction Worksheets can be purchased on my website or on Teachers Pay  Teachers.