3-digit Column Subtraction Game

3-digit Game (Column Subtraction)
 
This game focuses on subtracting a 3-digit number from a 3-digit number. It will give a 3-digit top number (Minuend) and a 3-digit bottom number (Subtrahend). It has two difficulty levels: “No Borrowing” and “With Borrowing” modes. Scroll down the page for a more detailed explanation.

 

 

How to Play the 3-digit Column Subtractor Game

1. Select Difficulty: Select “No Borrowing” or “With Borrowing”.
   
2. Enter Your Answer: Subtract the digits in columns from right to left. Typing a number automatically moves the cursor to the next column to the left. If you chose regrouping then be careful to regroup when necessary. You can put the borrow digit at the top of the ones place to help you remember. (Take note that the game will not check your borrow digit)
   
3. Check Your Work: Click the green Check button (or press the Enter key). The game will tell you if you’re correct. If you are wrong, you will be asked to try again.
   
4. Get a New Problem: Click the Next button (or press Enter again) for a new subtraction problem.
   Your score is tracked at the top, showing how many you’ve gotten right out of the total you’ve tried.
    
   

Subtracting 3-Digit from 3-Digit Numbers
Subtracting a 3-digit number from another 3-digit number (like $724 - 456$) follows the same column-based logic as smaller numbers, but often requires more complex “regrouping” (borrowing).
 
Setting Up the Columns
Always align the numbers to the right. This ensures that the Ones are under the Ones and the Tens are under the Tens. Similarly, for the Hundreds place.

Step-by-Step Process: 724 - 456
Step 1: The Ones Column (4 - 6)
Since 6 is greater than 4, we cannot subtract directly.
Borrow 1 Ten from the Tens column.
The 2 in the Tens place becomes 1.
The 4 in the Ones place becomes 14.
14 - 6 = 8.
Step 2: The Tens Column (1 - 5)
Now we look at the Tens. After borrowing, we have 1. Since 5 is greater than 1, we must borrow from the Hundreds.
Borrow 1 Hundred from the Hundreds column.
The 7 in the Hundreds place becomes 6.«br>br> The 1 in the Tens place becomes 11. 11 - 5 = 6.
Step 3: The Hundreds Column (6 - 4)
Finally, subtract the remaining hundreds.
6 - 4 = 2.
Final Answer: 268.
 

Subtracting Across Zeros
The most common mistake occurs when the top number has a zero in the middle (e.g., 503 - 275). You cannot borrow from zero, so you must “chain” the borrow.
Example: 503 - 275
Ones (3 - 5): Need to borrow, but the Tens place is 0.
Go to Hundreds: Borrow from the 50. It becomes 49.
Finish the math:
Ones: 13 - 5 = 8
Tens: 9 - 7 = 2
Hundreds: 4 - 2 = 2
Result: 228
 

Summary Checklist

1. Align: Are the place values perfectly stacked?
   
2. Check Top-to-Bottom: If the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, you must borrow from the left.
   
3. Update Immediately: Cross out the number you borrowed from and write the new value above it so you don’t forget.
   
4. Verify: Add your answer to the bottom number. If it equals the top number, you are correct.
    
   

The video gives a clear, step-by-step approach to walk through the regrouping process for subtracting a 3-digit number from a 3-digit number.

• Show Video

 

Try out our new and fun Fraction Concoction Game.

Add and subtract fractions to make exciting fraction concoctions following a recipe. There are four levels of difficulty: Easy, medium, hard and insane. Practice the basics of fraction addition and subtraction or challenge yourself with the insane level.

We welcome your feedback, comments and questions about this site or page. Please submit your feedback or enquiries via our Feedback page.