Maths Library

Multi-Digit Subtraction (Standard Algorithm): Grade 3 math

This topic covers the formal vertical algorithm for subtraction with decomposition and exchanging across columns. Pupils practise structured layout, exchanging from tens, hundreds, and thousands, and dealing with interior zeros.

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What this covers

Multi-Digit Subtraction (Standard Algorithm) is taught in Grade 3 (age 8 to 9) as a topic to introduce. It sits in the Number strand.

Worked example

Calculate: 503 - 267 using column subtraction.

  1. Align digits: 3 - 7 requires an exchange. Tens column has 0, so exchange from hundreds: 5 becomes 4, tens becomes 10.
  2. Exchange 1 ten to ones: tens becomes 9, ones becomes 13.
  3. Subtract ones: 13 - 7 = 6; tens: 9 - 6 = 3; hundreds: 4 - 2 = 2. Total is 236.

Answer: 236

Difficulty scale

The sheet generator offers five difficulty settings for this topic.

  1. 2-digit numbers without decomposition
  2. 3-digit numbers with single exchange from tens to ones
  3. 3-digit numbers with exchanges across tens and hundreds
  4. 4-digit numbers with borrowing across interior zeros (e.g., 4005 - 1268)
  5. 5-digit numbers with multiple chained decompositions

Common mistakes

  • Subtracting the top number from the bottom number when top digit is smaller
  • Failing to reduce the lending digit by 1 when decomposing across a zero

Curriculum links

Indicative matches to Common Core State Standards. Check wording and codes against the official document.

  • 3.NBT.A.2 Add and subtract whole numbers fluently within 1,000 using standard column algorithms and place value strategies.

Sample sheet and answers

Six questions at the level's usual difficulty. Open the editor to change, add or regenerate any of them.

Multi-Digit Subtraction (Standard Algorithm)

Grade 3 math

Qs
6
Marks
12
NameDateScore / 12
1.
7930 − 6483 =
[2]
2.
8843 − 5216 =
[2]
3.
8637 − 4618 =
[2]
4.
6319 − 4576 =
[2]
5.
7220 − 3427 =
[2]
6.
3087 − 2418 =
[2]

Answer key

  1. 1447Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 7930 − 6483 = 1447
  2. 3627Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 8843 − 5216 = 3627
  3. 4019Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 8637 − 4618 = 4019
  4. 1743Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 6319 − 4576 = 1743
  5. 3793Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 7220 − 3427 = 3793
  6. 669Subtract column by column, exchanging when the top digit is smaller; 3087 − 2418 = 669