Free Grade 3 Introducing Subtracting Integers Lessons
Free Grade 3 lessons for Introducing Subtracting Integers: 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
15 min
24
Learning objectives
Every objective is checkable, and each one maps to an activity and an assessment.
- UnderstandExplain introducing subtracting integers
Explain introducing subtracting integers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- ApplyCalculate introducing subtracting integers
Calculate introducing subtracting integers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- AnalyseCompare introducing subtracting integers
Compare introducing subtracting integers accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- EvaluateJustify introducing subtracting integers
Justify introducing subtracting integers 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 Subtracting Integers 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.-7 + (-5) = ?[1]
- 2.-4 + 6 = ?[1]
- 3.9 − 8 = ?[1]
- 4.7 + 0 = ?[1]
- 5.-13 − 10 = ?[2]
- 6.2 − 5 = ?[2]
- 7.17 × (-13) = ?[2]
- 8.-8 − 20 = ?[2]
- 9.26 + 12 = ?[3]
- 10.18 × 16 = ?[3]
- 11.-30 − 1 = ?[3]
- 12.-9 − 7 = ?[3]
Show answers and working
1. -12
Start at -7 on a number line. Move 5 left. You land on -12.
2. 2
Start at -4 on a number line. Move 6 right. You land on 2.
3. 1
Subtracting 8 is the same as adding -8. 9 + (-8) = 1
4. 7
Start at 7 on a number line. Move 0 right. You land on 7.
5. -23
Subtracting 10 is the same as adding -10. -13 + (-10) = -23
6. -3
Subtracting 5 is the same as adding -5. 2 + (-5) = -3
7. -221
Multiply the sizes: 17 × 13 = 221. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -221
8. -28
Subtracting 20 is the same as adding -20. -8 + (-20) = -28
9. 38
Start at 26 on a number line. Move 12 right. You land on 38.
10. 288
Multiply the sizes: 18 × 16 = 288. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 288
11. -31
Subtracting 1 is the same as adding -1. -30 + (-1) = -31
12. -16
Subtracting 7 is the same as adding -7. -9 + (-7) = -16
Worked examples
4 + 8 = ?
- Start at 4 on a number line.
- Move 8 right.
- You land on 12.
- Answer: 12
-1 + 7 = ?
- Start at -1 on a number line.
- Move 7 right.
- You land on 6.
- Answer: 6
-8 + 19 = ?
- Start at -8 on a number line.
- Move 19 right.
- You land on 11.
- Answer: 11
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 Subtracting Integers 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 Adding 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 Subtracting Integers?
- Move on to Working with Subtracting Integers, Subtracting Integers in Context, Negative Numbers, Integer Number Line, which build directly on this idea.
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