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Key Stage 3Ages 11-14Maths

Free Subtraction Worksheets for Key Stage 3

Practice subtracting numbers. Download free printable maths worksheets designed for Key Stage 3 students (ages 11-14), aligned to the UK National Curriculum.

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What Your Child Will Learn

Subtract large numbers and decimals accurately
Solve equations involving subtraction
Apply subtraction in financial and scientific contexts
Identify when subtraction or addition is more efficient

Sample Subtraction Questions for Key Stage 3

Here are examples of the types of questions your child will practice:

1

Calculate: 25,000 - 17,856

easyshort answer
2

A car costs £18,500. After a discount, it costs £15,750. How much was the discount?

mediumshort answer
3

If 5,000 - x = 3,275, find x

mediumfill blank
4

Subtract: 100.00 - 67.89

hardshort answer
5

The difference between two numbers is 2,345. If the larger number is 8,000, what is the smaller number?

hardshort answer
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Skills Your Child Will Build

Mental calculation
Number sense
Inverse operations
Problem solving

Real-World Applications

Understanding subtraction helps children in everyday situations:

Working out change
Comparing prices
Time differences
Distance remaining

Common Mistakes to Watch For

Help your child avoid these common subtraction mistakes:

  • !Forgetting to borrow
  • !Subtracting smaller from larger digit
  • !Place value errors
  • !Sign confusion

Learning Progression

Building these skills now prepares students for GCSE-level work, where subtraction understanding becomes essential for exam success.

Sample Subtraction Worksheets

1 available

Subtraction Worksheet - KS3 - Intermediate

intermediate
150

Subtraction Worksheet Preview

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Subtraction Worksheet - KS3 - Intermediate

Key Stage 3 · intermediate difficulty

Preview

Activity 1: Subtraction Equations

Solve each equation by finding the value of x. Show all your working clearly in the space provided.

1. x - 7 = 15 ______
2. 3x - 12 = 9 ______
3. 5x + 4 = 24 ______
4. 8x - 5 = 27 ______
5. 6x - 18 = 12 ______

Activity 2: Subtraction Word Problems

Read each problem carefully and use subtraction to find the solution. Write your answer in the box provided.

1. Sarah had £150. She spent £47 on a new dress. How much money does she have left? ______
2. A train travels 250 km in the morning and 175 km in the afternoon. How many kilometres did it travel in total? ______
3. A baker made 240 cupcakes. He sold 185 of them. How many cupcakes are left? ______
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Tips for Teaching Subtraction

1Teach the link between addition and subtraction early
2Use counters or physical objects to make it concrete
3Practise counting back on a number line
4Encourage estimation before calculating

More Maths Topics for Key Stage 3

AdditionMultiplicationDivisionFractionsDecimalsPercentages

Subtraction for Other Age Groups

Early Years

Ages 0-2

Nursery

Ages 3-4

Reception

Ages 4-5

Key Stage 1

Ages 5-7

Key Stage 2

Ages 7-11

GCSE

Ages 14-16

A-Level

Ages 16-18

Frequently Asked Questions

What subtraction topics are covered in these worksheets?▼
Our subtraction worksheets for Key Stage 3 cover all aspects of practice subtracting numbers as required by the UK National Curriculum. Each worksheet is designed to build skills progressively from foundation to challenge level.
Are these subtraction worksheets suitable for Key Stage 3?▼
Yes, these worksheets are specifically designed for Key Stage 3 students (ages 11-14). The content difficulty and question types are carefully matched to National Curriculum expectations for this age group.
How can I use these subtraction worksheets effectively?▼
We recommend 15-20 minutes of focused practice per session. Use the worksheets to reinforce concepts taught at school, identify areas needing more practice, and build confidence. Every worksheet includes an answer key for easy self-assessment.
Do the subtraction worksheets include answer keys?▼
Yes, every worksheet comes with a complete answer key on a separate page. This makes it easy for parents to check homework, teachers to mark work, and students to self-assess their understanding.

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