Year 3 Maths

Chapters to explore

Three-digit numbers use hundreds, tens and ones. Ten tens make one hundred. A zero keeps an empty position visible. Compare the largest place first when ordering numbers.

Try it: Build three numbers containing zero and explain the value of each digit.

Align digits by place value. When a place totals ten or more, exchange ten units for one in the next place. In subtraction, a larger unit can be exchanged for ten smaller units. Estimate first and check the answer.

Try it: Explain an exchange with place-value counters, then check using the inverse.

Known facts help derive new facts. To calculate 6 × 4, you can double 3 × 4. Division reverses multiplication. A remainder is an amount left when a total cannot be split into the requested equal whole groups.

Try it: Use a known fact to explain a harder multiplication fact.

The denominator names the number of equal parts in a whole. The numerator counts how many parts are selected. To find a fraction of an amount, find one equal part first. Fractions with the same denominator can be compared by their numerators.

Try it: Show the same fraction of a strip and a collection of objects.

Perimeter is the distance around a boundary. Add all the outside side lengths. There are 100 centimetres in a metre, 1,000 grams in a kilogram and 1,000 millilitres in a litre. Keep units consistent in calculations.

Try it: Measure the perimeter of a book and explain why area is a different measure.

An angle describes a turn. A right angle is a quarter turn. A clock can show elapsed time, and a chart can show comparisons. Read the labels and scale before calculating.

Try it: Record the start and finish of an everyday activity and work out the elapsed time.

Equivalent fractions name the same amount of the same whole. Splitting each part into equal smaller parts changes the numerator and denominator together. Keep the whole the same size when comparing diagrams.

Try it: Fold matching strips into halves and quarters.

Division may leave a remainder when a total does not fit into equal whole groups. The remainder is smaller than the divisor. Interpret it in context: some problems need an extra container, while others ask only for complete groups.

Try it: Model a division and explain what the remainder means.

A right angle is a quarter turn. Two right angles make a half turn, and four make a full turn. Turning changes orientation, not a shape’s defining properties. Use a paper corner as a right-angle model.

Try it: Show quarter, half and full turns with a paper pointer.

Learning together

Each chapter brings together teaching, an example, practice and a practical discovery. Use the material with discussion and suitable offline activities. Choose a comfortable starting point and revisit explanations as needed.