Use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number.
Key learning points
- Start by subtracting the number with the smallest place value first.
- The minuend always appears first in a column subtraction.
- The subtrahend is written underneath the minuend.
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 make errors when subtracting zero or when writing zero in the ones, tens or hundreds column of the difference.
Encourage pupils to write zero, using the examples given in the slide deck. Write zero in the hundreds column of the difference when using column subtraction; explain this is not written when the calculation is presented as a horizontal equation.
Teacher tip
Pupils may find base ten blocks helpful in representing and understanding column subtraction. Explain that only the minuend needs to be represented. The subtrahend is subtracted from this.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which number in the bar model is the minuend?
Q2.Which number in this equation is the difference? 65 − 42 = 23
Q3.Which number in this column subtraction is the minuend?
Q4.What is the name of the part that is circled in the column subtraction?
Q5.Which equation exactly matches the column subtraction?
Q6.Which column subtraction shows the correct difference?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which number in the column subtraction is the minuend?
Q2.Which number in the column subtraction is the subtrahend?
Q3.Calculate the missing difference using the column subtraction.
Q4.Calculate the missing difference using the column subtraction.
Q5.What is the missing tens digit?
Q6.What is the missing subtrahend?
To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 3 maths lesson on: Use column subtraction to subtract from a 2- or 3-digit number, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 maths lessons from the Column subtraction unit, dive into the full primary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.