Grade 2 · Maths · Lessons
Three digits, both ways
💯hundreds🔟tens1️⃣ones➕add or take
Hundreds, tens and ones.The big ideaOnes, then tens, then hundreds. Bundle or break when a place needs it.
How it works
Start with the ones, then the tens, then the hundreds.
If a place has too many, bundle ten into the next place. If too few, break one from the next.
Check your answer.
Example 1: No breaking
- 833 − 114 = ?
- Work ones, tens, hundreds.
- Nothing needs to break.
- So the answer is 719.
Example 2: A zero in the middle
- 502 − 47 = ?
- There aren't enough ones, so look at the tens.
- Break a ten, and you may need to break a hundred first.
- So the answer is 455.
Example 3: Break a hundred
- 525 − 33 = ?
- The tens are too few, so break one hundred into ten tens.
- Then take away each place.
- So the answer is 492.
Words to know
- bundle
- Make ten of one place into one of the next place.
- break
- Swap one of a place for ten of the place below.
Watch out
- Do the ones first.
- A zero can't give a ten: break the hundred first.
- Keep the places lined up.
Try it
- 406 − 128 = ?
- 441 − 87 = ?
- 933 − 576 = ?
Answers: 1. 278 · 2. 354 · 3. 357
For grown-upsUse base-ten blocks or paper strips to act out each break.