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3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets for Practice and Mastery

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How to Solve 3 Digit Subtraction with Borrowing Step by Step Examples

Learning how to subtract is the very basic mathematical operation that students learn at the KG-3 level. Once they understand the concept of subtracting a number from another one, they proceed to imbibe advanced methods to solve complex problems. To help them develop such skills, the subject experts of Vedantu have designed the ideal worksheet to solve. Solving this worksheet will aid students to practice the methods and sharpen their problem-solving skills.


What is 3 Digit Subtraction?

As the name suggests, the subtraction process where the minuend and subtrahend numbers are 3-digit numbers is called 3-digit subtraction. In this process, the numbers in the minuend and subtrahend sections are organised in such a way that the digits in ones, tens and hundred places will be set in columns properly.


The subtraction process is then carried on based on the digits. If the minuend digit in a place is smaller than the subtrahend digit then the 3 Digit Subtraction with Borrowing process is adopted. If not then the simple subtraction process is continued till we get the result.

Access Worksheet for Maths KG-2 3 Digit Subtraction

In Mathematics, subtraction is a method of finding the difference of two or more numbers. It is one of the basic arithmetic operations that we use in everyday life. The major application we can see in subtraction tables.


Solve questions for more clarity.


an image of subtraction

an image of subtraction


Questions:

1. If Sanjay has 500 rupees and he spend 205 rupees in grocery then how much money is left with Sanjay


2. An airplane is filled with 809 liters of diesel, and after a flight the diesel left is 213 liters then how many liters of diesel is used during the flight?

 an image of airplane

an image of airplane


3. If it’s your birthday and you got 800 rupees from your parents, and you spend 700 rupees on a party then how much money is left with you?


4. Subtract the following:

a. 500- 135 =

b. 200 -109 =


5. Match the following with correct answers:

Column A

Column B

400 – 179 

300

500 – 200 

50

200 – 150 

221


6. True or False:

a. 500- 200 will be 300?

b. 200 – 179 will be 21?

c. 100 – 500 will be – 200?


7. Solve the following:

a. If 200 will be subtracted from 998, what will be the answer?

b. If 198 subtracted from 200, what will be the answer?


8. Riya bought a bouquet of 200 flowers, and 130 flowers are not fresh then how many flowers are fresh in the bouquet?


9. In a car, there is 115 liters of petrol, and on a journey the car uses 112 liters of patrol then how much petrol is left in the car?


10. If there are 400 balloons in a party and 207 popped up, then how many balloons are left?


11. If there are 112 chocolates and 100 students take one chocolate each, how many chocolates are left?


12. Solve the following:

a. 500- 370=

b. 200- 179=


13. Fill in the blanks:

a. 500 – 209 = _______

b. 119 - ____ = 9


14. What will we get after subtracting 200 from 300?


15. What is the answer after subtracting 100 from 109?


Answers:

1. 

Sanjay has 500 rupees, and he spend 205 , so 500-205=295

Thus, Sanjay has 295 rupees left.


2. 

Airplane has 809 liters of diesel and left 213 liters, so 809-213=596

So, airplanes use 596 liters of diesel on the flight.


3. 

Total money 800 rupees and spend 700, so 800-700 = 100

Thus, 100 rupees is left only.


4. 

Subtracting:

a. 365

b. 109


5. 

Column A

Column B

400 – 179 

221

500 – 200 

300

200 – 150 

50


6. 

True or false:

a. True

b. True

c. False


7. 

Solving:

a. 998- 200 = 798

b. 200- 198 = 2


8. 

Total flowers 200 un fresh flowers 130, so 200-130 = 70

Thus, 70 flowers are fresh in the bouquet.


9. 

Total liters of petrol in car 115 and petrol used 112, so 115-112= 3

Thus, 3 liters of petrol is left in the car.


10. 

Total balloons 400 and balloons pooped 207, so 400-207= 193

Thus, 193 balloons left.


11. 

Total chocolates 112 and students 100, so 112-100= 12

Thus, only 12 chocolates left.


12. 

Solving:

a. 500- 370= 130

b. 200-179= 21


13. 

a. 500 – 209 = 291

b. 119- 110 = 9


14. 

300-200= 100


15. 

109- 100 =9


Difference between 3 Digit Subtraction with Borrowing and without Borrowing

In the borrowing process, the smaller digit in the minuend is accompanied by 1 borrowed from the digit to its left. It is then the subtrahend or the bigger digit that is subtracted from the smaller minuend digit. When 1 is borrowed, the digit on the left of the minuend digit reduces by 1.


This borrowing is not required when the minuend digit is bigger than the subtrahend digit in the same column. This process is called 3 Digit Subtraction without Regrouping.


Importance of 3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets

After learning the basic and advanced methods of subtraction with and without regrouping, students will need a profound platform to practice solving similar questions. Apart from the textbook exercises, students will need the proper setup to assess their mathematics knowledge and skills.


This is where these worksheets can be very useful. The questions in this worksheet have been designed by following both methods. Solving these Subtraction Worksheets will challenge students intellectually and will assist them to grab the concepts in a better way.


Benefits of Solving 3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets

  • The list of problems included in these worksheets will enable students to learn and find the difference between the subtraction process with and without regrouping.

  • By solving and practising these worksheets at home, students will be able to use the right method of subtraction and maintain their accuracy level.

  • Solving these worksheets will not be a problem anymore as they come with precise solutions.


Download 3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets PDF

Find the PDF version of these worksheets and practice solving three-digit subtraction methods on your own. Refer to the solutions to learn the right techniques and follow the same to escalate your accuracy level.

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FAQs on 3 Digit Subtraction Worksheets for Practice and Mastery

1. What is 3 digit subtraction?

3 digit subtraction is the process of subtracting one three-digit number (100–999) from another three-digit number using place value. It is usually done using the column method, subtracting digits in the ones, tens, and hundreds places. For example:

456 − 123 = 333

Each digit is subtracted according to its place value.

2. How do you do 3 digit subtraction step by step?

To do 3 digit subtraction, subtract digits by place value starting from the ones column.

Follow these steps:

  • Write the numbers vertically, lining up place values.
  • Subtract the ones digits.
  • Subtract the tens digits.
  • Subtract the hundreds digits.
Example:
584 − 231
  • 4 − 1 = 3
  • 8 − 3 = 5
  • 5 − 2 = 3
Final answer: 353.

3. How do you subtract 3 digit numbers with borrowing?

When a digit is smaller than the digit being subtracted, you use borrowing (regrouping) from the next higher place value.

Steps:

  • If the ones digit is smaller, borrow 1 ten.
  • Add 10 to the ones digit.
  • Reduce the tens digit by 1.
Example:
402 − 185
  • Borrow from tens and hundreds.
  • 12 − 5 = 7
  • 9 − 8 = 1
  • 3 − 1 = 2
Final answer: 217.

4. What is an example of a 3 digit subtraction problem?

An example of a 3 digit subtraction problem is 736 − 458.

Solution using column subtraction:

  • Borrow from tens: 16 − 8 = 8
  • Borrow from hundreds: 12 − 5 = 7
  • 6 − 4 = 2
Final answer: 278.

5. Why is borrowing important in 3 digit subtraction?

Borrowing is important because it allows you to subtract when the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit. Without regrouping, subtraction would not work correctly in place value columns. For example, in 314 − 128, you must borrow to solve 4 − 8, ensuring the correct result of 186.

6. What is the column method for 3 digit subtraction?

The column method is a vertical subtraction strategy where digits are aligned by place value.

Key rules:

  • Hundreds under hundreds
  • Tens under tens
  • Ones under ones
  • Subtract from right to left
This method helps avoid place value mistakes and is commonly used in 3 digit subtraction worksheets.

7. What are common mistakes in 3 digit subtraction?

Common mistakes in 3 digit subtraction include place value errors and incorrect borrowing.

Typical errors:

  • Not lining up digits correctly
  • Forgetting to reduce the digit after borrowing
  • Subtracting the smaller number from the larger digit incorrectly
Careful alignment and checking work helps avoid these mistakes.

8. How can I check my 3 digit subtraction answer?

You can check 3 digit subtraction by using addition to verify the result.

Method:

  • Add the difference to the smaller number.
  • If the sum equals the original larger number, the answer is correct.
Example: If 645 − 234 = 411, then 411 + 234 = 645, so the answer is correct.

9. What is the difference between 2 digit and 3 digit subtraction?

The difference is that 3 digit subtraction includes the hundreds place, while 2 digit subtraction only includes tens and ones. In 3 digit subtraction, you subtract across three place values:

  • Hundreds
  • Tens
  • Ones
This makes problems slightly more complex, especially when borrowing across multiple columns.

10. How do 3 digit subtraction worksheets help students?

3 digit subtraction worksheets help students practice place value understanding, borrowing, and calculation accuracy. Regular practice improves:

  • Speed and fluency
  • Confidence with regrouping
  • Accuracy in column subtraction
They are commonly used in Grade 2 and Grade 3 maths to strengthen subtraction skills.