Subtract across zeros
2 printable PDFs, each with its answer key. These sheets practice subtracting from 3-digit numbers with zeros in them, like 500 − 268 or 403 − 157.
Sheet 1
Sheet 2
What's on the sheet
20 problems written in columns, on US Letter paper, with a box for the score. Some from sheet 1:
- 870 − 733 = 137
- 401 − 343 = 58
- 500 − 480 = 20
- 980 − 454 = 526
Helping at home
In 3rd grade, subtracting across zeros is one of the trickiest steps. In 500 − 268 there are no ones and no tens to trade from, so your child has to go to the hundreds: 5 hundreds becomes 4 hundreds and 10 tens, then one of those tens becomes 10 ones. Now the top number reads 4 hundreds, 9 tens and 10 ones, and the answer is 232.
The most common slip is skipping over the zero and borrowing straight from the hundreds into the ones, which gives the wrong digits. Another is writing 0 − 8 = 8.
One way to help at home: think of 500 as 499 + 1. Then 499 − 268 needs no regrouping at all (231), and you add the 1 back: 232. Money works well too: trading a $100 bill for ten $10 bills, then one of those for ten $1 bills. Check each answer by adding it back.
Practice the same skill as a game
In larkit, your child plays this skill on screen, with a second try and a hint when a problem is hard. Free to try, no ads.
Play it freeWant more sheets?
The free sheets above need no email. If you'd like extras, we can send them.
Common Core: 3.NBT.A.2