Addition and Subtraction to 1000
In Year 3, pupils extend addition and subtraction to numbers with up to 3 digits, using both mental methods for easier calculations and formal written methods (column addition and column subtraction) for harder ones.
Method
- Decide whether the calculation can be done mentally (e.g. adding or subtracting a multiple of 10 or 100) or needs a formal written method.
- For column addition, line the digits up by place value, with ones under ones, tens under tens and hundreds under hundreds.
- Add the ones column first; if the total is 10 or more, carry the extra ten into the tens column.
- Add the tens column (including any carried ten), carrying a hundred into the hundreds column if needed, then add the hundreds column.
- For column subtraction, line the digits up the same way, then exchange 1 ten for 10 ones (or 1 hundred for 10 tens) whenever a digit is too small to subtract from.
- Check the answer using the inverse operation (subtract to check an addition, or add to check a subtraction) or by estimating with rounded numbers.
Worked example
Use column subtraction to work out 452 - 187.
- Line up 452 and 187 by place value, with 452 written above 187.
- Ones column: 2 - 7 cannot be done, so exchange 1 ten from the tens column to make 12 ones: 12 - 7 = 5.
- Tens column: 4 tens remain after the exchange; 4 - 8 cannot be done, so exchange 1 hundred to make 14 tens: 14 - 8 = 6.
- Hundreds column: 3 hundreds remain after the exchange; 3 - 1 = 2.
- Reading the columns gives the answer 265.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1246 + 137 =Show answer
Answer: 383
Q2500 - 268 =Show answer
Answer: 232
Q3Work out 320 + 45.Show answer
Answer: 365
Q4Work out 618 - 300.Show answer
Answer: 318
Q5A shop had 385 apples. It sold 149 of them. How many apples are left?Show answer
Answer: 236 apples (385 - 149)
Q6Find the missing number: 274 + ___ = 400.Show answer
Answer: 126
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a KS2 Maths exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Work out 563 + 278.
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A school has 452 pupils. 168 of them go home for lunch and the rest stay for a school dinner. How many pupils stay for a school dinner?
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A garden centre had 600 plants. It sold some plants and had 235 left. How many plants were sold?
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Nothing ticked yet - 1 available
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the addition and subtraction to 1000 worksheet pack - 6 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
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