Why does 500 − 267 stump my child when 584 − 267 doesn't?

The zeros. In 584 every column can lend on its own. In 500 the borrow travels across two empty columns, which doubles the steps to track.

Is there a shortcut for subtracting across zeros?

One good one: take 1 from both numbers first. 500 − 267 becomes 499 − 266, and no borrowing is needed. Teach it after the standard method is solid.

3rd grade subtracting across zeros

3rd grade subtracting across zeros worksheets

Subtracting from numbers like 500 or 706 is the hardest regrouping in 3rd grade: the borrow has to pass through a zero, and every step must be marked. These sheets give your child concentrated practice on exactly that case.

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core 3.NBT.A.2.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of problems you'll get

Solve each problem.

300 − 5 =
Answer: 295
400 − 15 =
Answer: 385
400 − 11 =
Answer: 389

Every print pulls a fresh set of problems at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling never gets the same sheet.

What's on a 3rd grade sheet

The sample sheet above has 9 problems. Its answers run from 288 to 882.

Subtracting across zeros. Solve each problem. 9 problems per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key after the problems.

How to teach this

Talk the borrow through as a chain: the ones ask the tens, the tens are empty, so the tens ask the hundreds. Model one problem with base-ten blocks (trade a hundred for ten tens, then a ten for ten ones) before going back to pencil marks. Once the idea is solid, show the shortcut of reading 500 as 50 tens.

Watch for: Kids see 0 − 7 and just write 7. The zero has to borrow before it can subtract. Kids leave the middle zero unchanged after borrowing through it. It becomes a 9, so cross it out and write it.

Common questions about 3rd grade subtracting across zeros

Why does 500 − 267 stump my child when 584 − 267 doesn't?: The zeros. In 584 every column can lend on its own. In 500 the borrow travels across two empty columns, which doubles the steps to track.
Is there a shortcut for subtracting across zeros?: One good one: take 1 from both numbers first. 500 − 267 becomes 499 − 266, and no borrowing is needed. Teach it after the standard method is solid.

Related worksheets

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Aligned to Common Core 3.NBT.A.2. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated October 2026.

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