Give and Take
Class 3 · Mathematics
4 ideas in Class 3 Mathematics, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.
Adding Numbers Using Place Value
Part of: Addition with Hundreds, Tens and Ones
When we add larger numbers, we organize them by place value - hundreds, tens and ones. For example, to add 234 and 125, we separate each number into hundreds (2 and 1), tens (3 and 2) and ones (4 and 5). Then we add each place: 2+1=3 hundreds, 3+2=5 tens, 4+5=9 ones, which gives 359. We line up the numbers so the same place values stack on top of each other.
Why it matters. Using place value makes addition clear and prevents mistakes. Without organizing by place value, we might add digits from different positions incorrectly. This method works for all sizes of numbers, not just small ones, so mastering it now helps with bigger numbers later.
Try it in two minutes
- Gather paper and write two 3-digit numbers vertically, one above the other, with ones aligned to ones, tens to tens, hundreds to hundreds.
- Start from the ones place and add. If the sum is 10 or more, write the ones digit below and carry the tens.
- Move to the tens place. Add the tens plus any carried number.
- Move to the hundreds place and add.
- Say aloud: 'I lined them up so each place stacked correctly, then added from right to left.'
Try at home. Ask your child to add 145 and 232 using this method. Then verify: does 145 + 232 = 377? Ask: What do you do if adding the ones gives you a number bigger than 9?
Subtracting Numbers Using Place Value
Part of: Subtraction with Hundreds, Tens and Ones
Subtraction using place value works like addition, but in reverse. We line up the numbers by place value and subtract ones from ones, tens from tens, and hundreds from hundreds. Sometimes the bottom digit is larger than the top digit, so we need to borrow. For example, in 234 - 57, we cannot take 7 ones from 4 ones, so we borrow 1 ten (10 ones) from the tens place. Now we have 14 ones and can subtract 7.
Why it matters. Learning to subtract correctly prevents mistakes in everyday situations like calculating change, finding how much is left, or comparing amounts. Borrowing is a key idea that will help with subtraction of larger numbers in future grades.
Try it in two minutes
- Write a subtraction problem vertically with ones, tens and hundreds aligned.
- Look at the ones place. If the top digit is smaller than the bottom digit, borrow 1 ten. The tens digit goes down by 1 and the ones digit increases by 10.
- Subtract ones. Then move to tens and subtract, then hundreds.
- Say: 'I borrowed from the tens place so I could subtract the ones.'
Try at home. Try 125 - 48. Notice 5 is less than 8, so borrow 1 ten. Now you have 15 ones minus 8 ones. Then subtract tens and hundreds. The answer is 77. Ask: When do we need to borrow?
Understanding Indian Currency
Part of: Money and Exchange
In India, we use rupees (₹) as money in the form of notes and coins. Common notes are ₹ 1000, ₹ 500, ₹ 100, ₹ 50, ₹ 20, ₹ 10 and ₹ 5. Common coins are ₹ 5, ₹ 2 and ₹ 1. For example, one ₹ 100 note is equal to ten ₹ 10 notes, or one hundred ₹ 1 coins. We use money to buy things. If something costs ₹ 35 and we pay with a ₹ 50 note, the change we get is ₹ 50 - ₹ 35 = ₹ 15.
Why it matters. Understanding money helps in real life. When you go shopping, you need to know if you have enough money, how much change to get back, and whether two different combinations of notes and coins have the same value. These skills make you independent in handling money.
Try it in two minutes
- Show your child different notes or coins (or pictures). Point out the numbers written on each.
- Ask: Which note is worth more, a ₹ 100 note or ten ₹ 10 notes? (They are worth the same.)
- Practice making amounts. Ask: How many ₹ 10 notes equal one ₹ 100 note?
- Play a simple shop game. Decide the price of a toy (e.g., ₹ 25). Your child gives you money and you give change.
Try at home. Play shop. Your child is the shopkeeper. Mark prices on objects: a cup costs ₹ 30, a book costs ₹ 45. Your child takes payment and gives change. This builds confidence with real numbers.
Solving Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction
Part of: Problem Solving and Estimation
A word problem tells a story with numbers. To solve it, we must first understand what the problem is asking. We can draw a diagram (a picture or a box) to show the problem clearly. For example, if a farmer plants 156 trees in the morning and 89 trees in the afternoon, we can draw two boxes showing the two amounts and ask: how many in total? This diagram helps us see whether we should add or subtract. Then we use place value to calculate the answer.
Why it matters. Problems in real life come as stories, not just number sentences. Learning to read and understand stories with numbers prepares you to think through real situations like sharing items, calculating change or tracking amounts. Drawing diagrams makes difficult problems easier to understand.
Try it in two minutes
- Read the problem slowly. Ask: What is the problem asking me to find?
- Draw a simple picture or box diagram. Show the starting amount and what happens to it.
- Decide: Do I add or subtract? The word 'altogether' or 'total' suggests adding. 'How many left' or 'how many more' suggests subtracting.
- Write the number sentence and solve it using place value.
- Ask: Does my answer make sense? Is it close to what I expected?
Try at home. Give your child a simple story: 'You have 45 stickers. Your friend gives you 23 more. How many do you have now?' Let them draw a picture, then solve. Ask: How do you know you should add?
What your child will practise
- Adding Numbers Using Place Value: Market Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Solving Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
- Subtracting Numbers Using Place Value: Desert Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
- Subtracting Numbers Using Place Value: Store Quest (Collect the Answer)
- Understanding Indian Currency: Market Sort (Sort It Out)
- Quiz: Adding Numbers Using Place Value (8 questions)
- Quiz: Solving Word Problems with Addition and Subtraction (8 questions)
- Quiz: Subtracting Numbers Using Place Value (8 questions)
- Quiz: Understanding Indian Currency (8 questions)