Subtracting Hundreds
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Now that you know how to add hundreds, let us learn to subtract them! Subtracting hundreds is just as easy as subtracting ones.
What Is Subtraction?
Subtraction means taking away. When we subtract, we find out how many are left or how many more one number is than another.
The minus sign (-) tells us to subtract.
Subtracting Hundreds Is Like Subtracting Ones!
Just like with addition, subtracting hundreds works the same as subtracting ones!
- 5 - 3 = 2, so 500 - 300 = 200
- 9 - 4 = 5, so 900 - 400 = 500
- 7 - 2 = 5, so 700 - 200 = 500
Subtract the first digits and put two zeros after!
Using Place Value to Subtract
When we subtract 800 - 300:
- Think: 8 hundreds - 3 hundreds
- Subtract: 8 - 3 = 5
- Answer: 5 hundreds = 500
Connection to Addition
Subtraction and addition are related! If you know that 300 + 400 = 700, then you also know:
- 700 - 300 = 400
- 700 - 400 = 300
This is called a fact family!
Worked Examples
Example 1: 500 - 200
Problem: Subtract 500 - 200
Step 1: Think: 5 hundreds - 2 hundreds
Step 2: Subtract: 5 - 2 = 3
Step 3: Write the answer: 300
Answer: 500 - 200 = 300
Example 2: 900 - 600
Problem: Subtract 900 - 600
Step 1: Think: 9 hundreds - 6 hundreds
Step 2: Subtract: 9 - 6 = 3
Step 3: Answer: 300
Answer: 900 - 600 = 300
Example 3: 700 - 100
Problem: Subtract 700 - 100
Step 1: Think: 7 hundreds - 1 hundred
Step 2: Subtract: 7 - 1 = 6
Step 3: Answer: 600
Answer: 700 - 100 = 600
Example 4: Word Problem
Problem: A store has 800 toys. They sell 500 toys. How many toys are left?
Step 1: Find what to subtract: 800 - 500
Step 2: Subtract: 8 - 5 = 3
Step 3: Write the answer: 300
Answer: The store has 300 toys left.
Example 5: Finding the Difference
Problem: Maria has 600 stickers. Tom has 400 stickers. How many more stickers does Maria have?
Step 1: To find "how many more," we subtract: 600 - 400
Step 2: Subtract: 6 - 4 = 2
Step 3: Answer: 200
Answer: Maria has 200 more stickers than Tom.
Practice Problems
Try these problems on your own. Click "Show Answer" to check your work!
Problem 1: 400 - 100 = ?
Show Answer
300 (4 - 1 = 3, so 400 - 100 = 300)
Problem 2: 600 - 200 = ?
Show Answer
400 (6 - 2 = 4, so 600 - 200 = 400)
Problem 3: 800 - 300 = ?
Show Answer
500 (8 - 3 = 5, so 800 - 300 = 500)
Problem 4: 500 - 500 = ?
Show Answer
0 (5 - 5 = 0, so 500 - 500 = 0)
Problem 5: 900 - 200 = ?
Show Answer
700 (9 - 2 = 7, so 900 - 200 = 700)
Problem 6: 700 - 400 = ?
Show Answer
300 (7 - 4 = 3, so 700 - 400 = 300)
Problem 7: A baker makes 600 cookies. She sells 400. How many cookies are left?
Show Answer
200 cookies (600 - 400 = 200)
Problem 8: 800 - 500 = ?
Show Answer
300 (8 - 5 = 3, so 800 - 500 = 300)
Problem 9: There are 500 birds in a tree. 200 fly away. How many birds are still in the tree?
Show Answer
300 birds (500 - 200 = 300)
Problem 10: What is 900 - 100 - 300?
Show Answer
500 (First: 900 - 100 = 800, then 800 - 300 = 500)
Check Your Understanding
Question 1: How is subtracting hundreds like subtracting ones?
Show Answer
You subtract the digits in the hundreds place just like subtracting single numbers. 8 - 3 = 5 is the same idea as 800 - 300 = 500!
Question 2: If 200 + 600 = 800, what is 800 - 600?
Show Answer
200 - Because addition and subtraction are related (fact families)!
Question 3: What is 400 - 400?
Show Answer
0 - When you subtract a number from itself, you always get zero!
Question 4: A class has 300 crayons. They use 100. How many crayons are left?
Show Answer
200 crayons (300 - 100 = 200)
Next Steps
- Practice: Make up your own subtraction problems with hundreds
- Connect: Write addition and subtraction fact families with hundreds
- Challenge: Try subtracting hundreds in your head!
- Next Unit: Learn about place value with even bigger numbers