Free Grade 3 Introducing Absolute Value Lessons
Free Grade 3 lessons for Introducing Absolute Value: 12 real questions with a full answer key and worked solutions. Integers include negative numbers. On a number line, adding moves right and subtracting moves left. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding.
Free
Stretch
20 min
24
Learning objectives
Every objective is checkable, and each one maps to an activity and an assessment.
- UnderstandExplain introducing absolute value
Explain introducing absolute value accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- ApplyCalculate introducing absolute value
Calculate introducing absolute value accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- AnalyseCompare introducing absolute value
Compare introducing absolute value accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- EvaluateJustify introducing absolute value
Justify introducing absolute value accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
Prerequisites
Close these gaps first — each has its own free lesson, worksheet and quiz.
How Introducing Absolute Value works
Integers include negative numbers. On a number line, adding moves right and subtracting moves left. Subtracting a negative is the same as adding.
12 practice questions
Easy to hard, 24 marks in total. Try them first, then open the answers.
- 1.4 + (-6) = ?[1]
- 2.4 + (-1) = ?[1]
- 3.-10 + (-10) = ?[1]
- 4.-1 − 3 = ?[1]
- 5.-14 × (-15) = ?[2]
- 6.11 + 1 = ?[2]
- 7.-18 × (-5) = ?[2]
- 8.8 + (-4) = ?[2]
- 9.-29 × (-16) = ?[3]
- 10.-3 + (-20) = ?[3]
- 11.12 + 8 = ?[3]
- 12.-4 × 15 = ?[3]
Show answers and working
1. -2
Start at 4 on a number line. Move 6 left. You land on -2.
2. 3
Start at 4 on a number line. Move 1 left. You land on 3.
3. -20
Start at -10 on a number line. Move 10 left. You land on -20.
4. -4
Subtracting 3 is the same as adding -3. -1 + (-3) = -4
5. 210
Multiply the sizes: 14 × 15 = 210. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 210
6. 12
Start at 11 on a number line. Move 1 right. You land on 12.
7. 90
Multiply the sizes: 18 × 5 = 90. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 90
8. 4
Start at 8 on a number line. Move 4 left. You land on 4.
9. 464
Multiply the sizes: 29 × 16 = 464. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 464
10. -23
Start at -3 on a number line. Move 20 left. You land on -23.
11. 20
Start at 12 on a number line. Move 8 right. You land on 20.
12. -60
Multiply the sizes: 4 × 15 = 60. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -60
Worked examples
-2 + (-4) = ?
- Start at -2 on a number line.
- Move 4 left.
- You land on -6.
- Answer: -6
-3 + (-7) = ?
- Start at -3 on a number line.
- Move 7 left.
- You land on -10.
- Answer: -10
-23 − 30 = ?
- Subtracting 30 is the same as adding -30.
- -23 + (-30) = -53
- Answer: -53
Interactive practice
Free, no account required — answer on screen or print it.
Common mistakes
What learners typically get wrong, and how to fix it.
Thinks −8 is bigger than −3.
Correction: Further left on the number line means smaller.
Treats − (−4) as −4.
Correction: Two minus signs together become a plus.
Teacher tips
- · Use a vertical number line like a thermometer.
Parent tips
- · Compare winter temperatures from the weather forecast.
Real-life applications
- · Temperatures below zero, bank balances, floors below ground.
Assessment objectives
How mastery is evidenced, and which standards it maps to.
Every free resource for Introducing Absolute Value
One concept, one ecosystem — all of it free.
Goes deeper
The entities below this one, each with the same complete free resource set.
Sibling concepts
Related concepts
Lateral links, including across subjects.
Next topics
All free formats for this concept
Every kind below is a real page, generated from this entity.
Learn — Meet the idea.
Practice — Build fluency.
Revise — Keep it in memory.
Assess — Prove mastery.
Apply — Use it in context.
Teach — Deliver it to a class.
Frequently asked
- Is this Grade 3 Introducing Absolute Value lesson really free?
- Yes. Every lessons on FreeMathWorksheet is free to use, print and share — no account, no paywall and no watermark.
- What should a learner already know before this?
- Start with Multiplying Integers. Each one has its own free lesson, worksheet and quiz.
- How is the lesson sequenced?
- Recognition first, then understanding, application, reasoning and finally mastery — the same ladder used across every free resource on the platform.
- What comes next after Introducing Absolute Value?
- Move on to Working with Absolute Value, Absolute Value in Context, Negative Numbers, Integer Number Line, which build directly on this idea.
Related resources
Stuck on Introducing Absolute Value? The AI Tutor already knows this page, its prerequisites and its common mistakes.
Open the free AI Tutor