AC9M3N03 • Year 3 Maths

AC9M3N03: Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator

add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator

Learning goals

Place value lets us split numbers into hundreds, tens and ones, regroup equal values and choose efficient addition or subtraction strategies.

Learning routine: Estimate → Partition → Regroup → Calculate → Check with inverse

Success looks like

  • Partition numbers
  • Regroup accurately
  • Add three-digit numbers
  • Subtract three-digit numbers
  • Check with inverse

Success criteria:

  • Partition numbers
  • Regroup accurately
  • Add three-digit numbers
  • Subtract three-digit numbers
  • Check with inverse
Prerequisite knowledge

Students should be comfortable reading and representing whole numbers, using place value, and explaining simple addition, subtraction or equal-group relationships from earlier years. Begin with a short concrete or visual recall task before moving to Add and Subtract with Place Value.

Key concept

Key idea: Place value lets us split numbers into hundreds, tens and ones, regroup equal values and choose efficient addition or subtraction strategies.

Learning routine: Estimate → Partition → Regroup → Calculate → Check with inverse

partition
split a number into useful place-value parts
regroup
rename a quantity without changing its value
inverse
an operation that undoes another operation
Worked examples

Partition to add 268 + 157

268 + 157→200 + 100→60 + 50→8 + 7→425

Combine hundreds, tens and ones, then regroup 15 ones as 1 ten and 5 ones.

  1. Read every label and identify what each quantity or feature represents.
  2. Describe the relationship shown by the model.
  3. Check that the conclusion answers the original question.

Use compensation for subtraction

503 − 198→503 − 200→303 + 2→305

Subtract a friendly number, then adjust.

Apply the same relationship to the new context, then justify the answer using the labels and evidence shown.

Questions and answers
What is the big idea in this topic?
Place value lets us split numbers into hundreds, tens and ones, regroup equal values and choose efficient addition or subtraction strategies.
What routine should I use?
Estimate → Partition → Regroup → Calculate → Check with inverse
How do I know I am ready to move on?
You can partition numbers, regroup accurately, add three-digit numbers, subtract three-digit numbers, check with inverse and explain how your model or calculation supports the answer.
Common misconceptions
  • Regrouping without equal exchange — Trade 10 ones for 1 ten or 10 tens for 1 hundred.
  • Losing the adjustment — Compensation must be corrected at the end.
  • No reasonableness check — Estimate before or after calculating.
Guided practice

1. Base-ten regroup

Model 346 + 278 and trade 10 ones for a ten and 10 tens for a hundred.

hundreds6
tens2
ones4

2. Strategy compare

Solve 399 + 246 by partitioning and by compensation.

399 + 246400 + 246 − 1

645

3. Inverse check

Check 721 − 286 using addition.

721286435
721 − 286 = 435435 + 286 = 721
Independent practice
  1. What is 268 + 157?

    • 425
    • 315
    • 415
    • 435
  2. Complete the partition.

    Prompt: 268 + 157 = 200 + 100 + 60 + 50 + 8 + □

  3. Which strategy is useful for 503 − 198?

    • subtract 200, then add 2
    • subtract 100, then add 98
    • add 198
    • ignore the ones
  4. Solve 346 + 278 and show your regrouping.

  5. Match the calculation to the answer.

    Match: 399 + 246 • 721 − 286 • 503 − 198 ↔ 305 • 435 • 645

  6. Complete the inverse check.

    Prompt: 721 − 286 = 435, so 435 + □ = 721

Reasoning and problem-solving
  1. Solve 687 − 298 using two different strategies and compare their efficiency.

  2. Create a three-digit addition problem that requires regrouping in both ones and tens, then solve and check it.

Explain the reasoning, not only the final answer.

Practice and review
  1. Estimate 594 + 208, then calculate the exact answer and compare.

  2. A student writes 268 + 157 = 315 because they added 8 + 7 as 5. Explain the regrouping error.

Review hint: Follow the routine “Estimate → Partition → Regroup → Calculate → Check with inverse” and use the worked model to check whether your answer is reasonable.

Check understanding
  • I can partition numbers.
  • I can regroup accurately.
  • I can add three-digit numbers.
  • I can subtract three-digit numbers.
  • I can check with inverse.

Quick check: Solve 268 + 157 by partitioning. • Solve 503 − 198 by compensation. • Check 721 − 286 with addition.

Teacher and parent guidance

For teachers

Model the idea with concrete or visual representations first, then ask students to explain the relationship in words before moving to symbolic work.

For parents and carers

Ask your child to show the idea with a drawing, objects or a simple example and explain how they checked the answer.

Read the topic guide and use the teacher slide for instruction. Students can then use the worksheet for written work, open Practice for supported feedback, or take the Test when they are ready.

Curriculum alignment

The content description and elaborations below show the curriculum ideas taught in this unit. Items marked as teaching context support lesson planning.

  • Content description: add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator
  • E1: using partitioning and part-part-whole models and the inverse relationship between addition and subtraction to solve addition or subtraction problems, making informal written “jottings” to keep track of the numbers if necessary
  • E2: using physical or virtual grouped materials or diagrams to make proportional models of numbers to assist in calculations; for example, to calculate 214 + 325 representing 214 as 2 groups of 100, one group of 10 and 4 ones and 325 as 3 groups of 100, 2 groups of 10 and 5 ones resulting in 5 groups of 100, 3 groups of 10 and 9 ones which is 539
  • E3: choosing between standard and non-standard place value partitions to assist with calculations; for example, to solve 485 + 365, thinking of 365 as 350 + 15, then adding the parts, 485 + 15 = 500, 500 + 350 = 850
  • E4: solving subtraction problems efficiently by adding or subtracting a constant amount to both numbers to create an easier calculation; for example, 534 \space- \space395 adding 5 to both numbers to make 539 \space - \space400 = 139
  • E5: justifying choices about partitioning and regrouping numbers in terms of their usefulness for particular calculations when solving problems
  • E6: applying knowledge of place value to assist in calculations when solving problems involving larger numbers; for example, calculating the total crowd numbers for an agricultural show that lasts a week

Australian, Victorian and NSW alignment retained from the previous page

RegionCurriculumClosest mapping
AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0AC9M3N03 — add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator
VictoriaVictorian Curriculum F-10Year 3 Maths: closest match in Number. Use this page as a VIC-aligned practice and worksheet reference.
NSWNSW CurriculumStage 2 Maths: closest content focus for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator and related outcomes.
Official curriculum references
Practice and teaching resources
🎥 Optional Video Lesson

The SkillrHub lesson remains the primary learning resource. This optional video reinforces the explanation; you can complete the lesson and practice without watching.

Back to the lesson

Before you watch:

  • Pause after each worked example.
  • Try the examples yourself.
  • Return to the SkillrHub lesson before continuing.
Recommended: Solving 3-digit addition in your head | 2nd grade | Khan Academy

Khan Academy — Use place value and friendly hundreds to add three-digit numbers mentally.

As you watch: How can moving part of one number make an addition easier without changing the total?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Find 298 + 135 by making 300 first. Draw or explain where the extra 2 came from.

Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.

Another explanation: Math Antics - Multi-Digit Subtraction

mathantics — Follow regrouping when a subtraction has too few ones or tens.

As you watch: When one ten is exchanged for ten ones, why does the number keep the same value?

Load video player Loads YouTube in this lesson. See the video notice below.

Try it: Show 342 - 158 with a place-value drawing before recording the calculation.

Video unavailable, inaccurate or unsuitable for this year? Report a video problem to SkillrHub by email. You can continue with the written lesson and practice resources.

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Curriculum equivalents: Victoria, NSW and international

Curriculum equivalents for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value...

Mapped skill: add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator

These references identify matching or closely related learning. Curriculum sequence, terminology and depth vary, so teachers should use the mapped skill and lesson difficulty to confirm suitability.

RegionCurriculum frameworkClosest level or code
AustraliaAustralian Curriculum v9.0AC9M3N03 · Year 3
VictoriaVictorian Curriculum F–10 Version 2.0 — MathematicsVC2M3N03 · Level 3
New South WalesNSW Mathematics K–10 Syllabus (2022)MA2-AR-01 + MA2-AR-02 · Stage 2
United States (USA)Common Core State Standards for MathematicsGrade 3
Canada (Ontario)Ontario Curriculum — MathematicsGrade 3
United Kingdom (England)National Curriculum in England — MathematicsYear 4, Key Stage 2
IndiaNCERT / CBSE — MathematicsClass 3

Australian Curriculum v9.0 is the canonical source for this SkillrHub lesson. Victoria and NSW entries name the closest published state codes or outcomes; international entries are planning references rather than claims of identical curricula.

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Topic reference: AC9M3N03 — AC9M3N03: Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator

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Other international curriculum comparisons retained from the previous page
RegionCurriculumClosest mapping
United StatesCommon Core / NGSSGrade 3 Common Core Mathematics/ELA closest topic match for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator.
England / UKNational CurriculumKey Stage 2 / Year 3: closest programme-of-study match for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator.
CanadaProvincial and territory curriculaGrade 3 closest topic match. Canada varies by province, so use this as a broad Ontario/BC-style learning outcome reference.
New ZealandNew Zealand CurriculumLevel 2 Maths: closest achievement-objective topic for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator.
IndiaNCERT / CBSEClass 3 closest NCERT/CBSE topic match for Add and subtract two- and three-digit numbers using place value to partition, rearrange and regroup numbers to assist in calculations without a calculator.