K-5 friendly lesson

One small step at a time.Read the idea, try the activity, and celebrate each win as you go.

Subtract 3-Digit Numbers Vertically (With Borrowing)

🥞 Stack Em and Borrow! The rhyme is back. "More on top? No need to stop! More on the floor? Go next door!"

Do this: Read the concept below, then try the quiz or activity.

Lesson 132 of 186

Concept

This is the King of all subtraction methods. It can solve any number in the universe.

🎯 The Stacking Code:
Example: 832 - 156 = ?
  8 3 2
- 1 5 6
---------
1. Ones Floor Check: 2 < 6. Go next door!
   * Cross out 3. Make it 2.
   * Give 10 to the 2. (Make it 12).
   * 12 - 6 = 6.
2. Tens Floor Check: The new number is a 2. The bottom number is a 5. (2 < 5). Go next door AGAIN!
   * Look at the 8 in the Hundreds. Cross it out. Make it a 7.
   * Give the ten to the 2. (Make it a 12).
   * 12 - 5 = 7.
3. Hundreds Check: 7 - 1 = 6.
4. Answer: 676!

Try it

Knock next door ... twice!

Instructions: Start on the Ones. Ask the rhyme! Do it again for the Tens!

Problem 1: 5 4 1 - 2 1 8 --------- * Ones: Borrow from the 4! (It becomes 3). 1 becomes 11. (11 - 8 = ___). * Tens: 3 - 1 = ___. (No borrowing needed here!). * Hundreds: 5 - 2 = ___. * Answer: ___

Problem 2: 7 2 5 - 3 6 1 --------- * (Hint: You have to borrow from the 7 to help the Tens column!). * Answer: ___

Problem 3: 9 4 3 - 4 8 5 --------- * (Hint: Double borrowing required!) * Answer: ___

Complete & Continue →