Free Grade 3 Working with Negative Numbers Word Problems Lessons
Free Grade 3 lessons for Working with Negative Numbers Word Problems: 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
30 min
24
Learning objectives
Every objective is checkable, and each one maps to an activity and an assessment.
- UnderstandExplain working with negative numbers word problems
Explain working with negative numbers word problems accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- ApplyCalculate working with negative numbers word problems
Calculate working with negative numbers word problems accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- AnalyseCompare working with negative numbers word problems
Compare working with negative numbers word problems accurately in a familiar context.
Assessed by: Exit ticket of four short items
- EvaluateJustify working with negative numbers word problems
Justify working with negative numbers word problems 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 Working with Negative Numbers Word Problems 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 − 2 = ?[1]
- 2.4 + 9 = ?[1]
- 3.-1 + (-8) = ?[1]
- 4.-8 + (-1) = ?[1]
- 5.9 + 12 = ?[2]
- 6.0 × (-5) = ?[2]
- 7.11 − 3 = ?[2]
- 8.12 × (-3) = ?[2]
- 9.-20 − (-18) = ?[3]
- 10.28 × 25 = ?[3]
- 11.5 − 24 = ?[3]
- 12.-27 + 2 = ?[3]
Show answers and working
1. 2
Subtracting 2 is the same as adding -2. 4 + (-2) = 2
2. 13
Start at 4 on a number line. Move 9 right. You land on 13.
3. -9
Start at -1 on a number line. Move 8 left. You land on -9.
4. -9
Start at -8 on a number line. Move 1 left. You land on -9.
5. 21
Start at 9 on a number line. Move 12 right. You land on 21.
6. 0
Multiply the sizes: 0 × 5 = 0. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 0
7. 8
Subtracting 3 is the same as adding -3. 11 + (-3) = 8
8. -36
Multiply the sizes: 12 × 3 = 36. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: -36
9. -2
Subtracting (-18) is the same as adding 18. -20 + 18 = -2
10. 700
Multiply the sizes: 28 × 25 = 700. Same signs give positive, different signs give negative. Answer: 700
11. -19
Subtracting 24 is the same as adding -24. 5 + (-24) = -19
12. -25
Start at -27 on a number line. Move 2 right. You land on -25.
Worked examples
1 + 9 = ?
- Start at 1 on a number line.
- Move 9 right.
- You land on 10.
- Answer: 10
10 × (-13) = ?
- Multiply the sizes: 10 × 13 = 130.
- Same signs give positive, different signs give negative.
- Answer: -130
- Answer: -130
-10 − 11 = ?
- Subtracting 11 is the same as adding -11.
- -10 + (-11) = -21
- Answer: -21
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 Working with Negative Numbers Word Problems 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 Working with Negative Numbers Techniques, Working with Negative Numbers Essentials, Introducing Negative Numbers. 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 Working with Negative Numbers Word Problems?
- Move on to Working with Negative Numbers Common Errors, Introducing Negative Numbers, Negative Numbers in Context, which build directly on this idea.
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