New
New
Review using column subtraction to subtract without regrouping
I can use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number.
Lesson 12 of 15
New
New
- Year 4
Review using column subtraction to subtract without regrouping
I can use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value.
- The minuend appears first in a column subtraction.
- The subtrahend is written underneath the minuend.
- Use zero to show where there are no ones, tens or hundreds represented.
Keywords
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 misconception
Pupils may write the minuend and subtrahend the wrong way around.
Model setting out column subtraction, starting with the minuend. This can be taught alongside manipulatives such as Base 10 blocks so that pupils understand that the minuend is the number that we start with.
In this lesson, pupils set out column subtraction using 2- and 3-digit numbers. They will not use any regrouping but should have experience of subtracting a 2-digit number from a 3-digit number and have opportunities to use zero as a digit in the ones or tens of the subtrahend and difference.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which number is the minuend in this part-part-whole model?
Which number is the minuend in this part-part-whole model?

Q2.Which number is the subtrahend in this column subtraction?
Which number is the subtrahend in this column subtraction?

Q3.What is the name of the part that is circled in the column subtraction?
What is the name of the part that is circled in the column subtraction?

subtrahend
difference
Q4.Which number is the subtrahend in the equation, 67 − 45 = 22?
Which number is the subtrahend in the equation, 67 − 45 = 22?
Q5.Look at this column subtraction.
Match up the numbers with the correct name.
Look at this column subtraction.
Match up the numbers with the correct name.

Q6.What is the missing minuend in the column subtraction?
What is the missing minuend in the column subtraction?

Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the column subtraction by finding the difference.
Complete the column subtraction by finding the difference.

Q2.Which number is the difference in this column subtraction?
Which number is the difference in this column subtraction?

Q3.Find the missing tens digit in the column subtraction.
Find the missing tens digit in the column subtraction.

Q4.Find the missing tens digit.
Find the missing tens digit.

Q5.Which two numbers could be used to make this column subtraction correct?
Which two numbers could be used to make this column subtraction correct?

79
22
Q6.Which two numbers could be used to make this column subtraction correct?
Which two numbers could be used to make this column subtraction correct?

545
333