Free Grade 3 Introducing Absolute Value Lesson Plans
Free Grade 3 lesson plans 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
Core
30 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.-5 − (-7) = ?[1]
- 2.3 − 7 = ?[1]
- 3.-2 − (-8) = ?[1]
- 4.-5 − (-2) = ?[1]
- 5.3 × (-9) = ?[2]
- 6.4 + (-2) = ?[2]
- 7.-14 × (-4) = ?[2]
- 8.7 − (-15) = ?[2]
- 9.15 − 20 = ?[3]
- 10.22 × 19 = ?[3]
- 11.30 − 29 = ?[3]
- 12.-4 × (-18) = ?[3]
Show answers and working
1. 2
Subtracting (-7) is the same as adding 7. -5 + 7 = 2
2. -4
Subtracting 7 is the same as adding -7. 3 + (-7) = -4
3. 6
Subtracting (-8) is the same as adding 8. -2 + 8 = 6
4. -3
Subtracting (-2) is the same as adding 2. -5 + 2 = -3
5. -27
Multiply the sizes: 3 × 9 = 27. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -27
6. 2
Start at 4 on a number line. Move 2 left. You land on 2.
7. 56
Multiply the sizes: 14 × 4 = 56. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 56
8. 22
Subtracting (-15) is the same as adding 15. 7 + 15 = 22
9. -5
Subtracting 20 is the same as adding -20. 15 + (-20) = -5
10. 418
Multiply the sizes: 22 × 19 = 418. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 418
11. 1
Subtracting 29 is the same as adding -29. 30 + (-29) = 1
12. 72
Multiply the sizes: 4 × 18 = 72. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 72
Worked examples
0 + 10 = ?
- Start at 0 on a number line.
- Move 10 right.
- You land on 10.
- Answer: 10
-13 − (-10) = ?
- Subtracting (-10) is the same as adding 10.
- -13 + 10 = -3
- Answer: -3
25 + (-15) = ?
- Start at 25 on a number line.
- Move 15 left.
- You land on 10.
- Answer: 10
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.
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Frequently asked
- Is this Grade 3 Introducing Absolute Value lesson plan really free?
- Yes. Every lesson plans 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 plan 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.
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