Year 3 - Maths
Use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number
Column subtraction
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
In this unit pupils will identify the minuend and the subtrahend in column subtraction and explain the column subtraction algorithm. They will subtract from a 2-digit number using column subtraction with exchanging.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number.
Key Notes
- Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value first.
- The minuend always appears first in a column subtraction.
- The subtrahend is written underneath the minuend.
Vocabulary To Learn
- minuend: The minuend is the number being subtracted from.
- subtrahend: A subtrahend is a number subtracted from another.
- column subtraction: Column subtraction is a way of subtracting numbers by writing a number below another.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Pupils may make errors when subtracting zero or when writing zero in the ones, tens or hundreds column of the difference.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Solve this in steps: explain the method from this lesson and why each step matters.
Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value first. The minuend always appears first in a column subtraction.
2. Use this key word in a maths sentence and explain it clearly. 'minuend'
The minuend is the number being subtracted from. Use this word when showing your method, then check your final answer is reasonable.
3. Spot and fix this common maths mistake.
Mistake: Pupils may make errors when subtracting zero or when writing zero in the ones, tens or hundreds column of the difference. Correction: Encourage pupils to write zero, using the examples given in the slide deck. Write zero in the hundreds column of the difference when using column subtraction; explain this is not written when the calculation is presented as a horizontal equation.
More Lessons In This Unit
- Identify the minuend and subtrahend in column subtraction Study Guide
- Make efficient use of subtraction strategies including column subtraction Study Guide
- Subtract from a 2-digit number using column subtraction with regrouping Study Guide
- Subtract from a 3-digit number using column subtraction with regrouping Study Guide
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