This understanding involves interpreting two-step situations with whole numbers within 1,000, determining whether each relationship calls for addition or subtraction, and representing the connected quantities with equations, bar models, or other meaningful diagrams. The solver preserves the meaning of the intermediate result, accounts for the order of the steps, and checks whether the final answer is reasonable rather than choosing operations from isolated keywords; decimals, fractions, negative numbers, and more than two operations are outside this scope.
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Detailed Explanation: Solve two-step addition and subtraction problems
Read the whole story first. Decide what happens first, find that amount, and then use it in the second step.
Example:
A library has 246 books. It receives 138 more books and then lends 97 books to students. How many books are in the library now?
- Find the number after the first change.
The library receives more books, so add:
Now the library has 384 books.
- Use that result for the second change.
The library lends books, so subtract:
- Write the answer.
The library has 287 books now.
The two steps can be shown in one equation:
Check: Adding 138 makes the amount larger, and subtracting 97 makes it smaller. Since 287 is less than 384 but more than 246, the answer is reasonable.
Learn by doing: Solve two-step addition and subtraction problems
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Subtraction - Missing Value, 3 Digit, 2 Numbers
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Download/Modify Free Grade 3 'Solve two-step addition and subtraction problems' Worksheet
Print this free 'Solve two-step addition and subtraction problems' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Subtraction - Missing Value, 3 Digit, 2 Numbers
- Subtraction - Missing Value, 2 Digit, 2 Numbers
- Subtraction - Missing Value, 1 Digit, 2 Numbers
- Subtraction - Missing Value, 3 Digit, 1 Number
- Addition - Missing Value, 3 Digit, 1 Number
- One-Step Equation - Addition - Solve
- Linear Equation - Solve for Box, Two Terms, Add and Subtract
- Ten Groups - Subtract, Without Borrow, Less than 30