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This Mixed Add Subtract drill has 48 problems for Grade 3. Photographers theme. Answer key included.
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Max must photograph 47 animals before they escape the savanna at sunset today!
Standard: CCSS.MATH.3.NBT.A.2
Preview
Page 1 — Drill
Page 2 — Answer Key
What's Included
About this Grade 3 Mixed Add Subtract Drill
By third grade, students need to move beyond simple addition or subtraction problems and tackle mixed operations—where addition and subtraction appear in the same problem. This skill builds fluency with number sense and prepares students for multi-step word problems they'll encounter throughout elementary math. When children solve problems like 15 + 8 − 7, they're practicing mental flexibility and learning to process operations in order, which strengthens their working memory and logical thinking. Real-world situations demand this skill constantly: a photographer adding film rolls to their supply (12 + 5) and then using some (− 3) needs to track the total. Mastering mixed-add-subtract at age 8-9 builds confidence with larger numbers and lays the groundwork for algebraic thinking in later grades.
What your student will practice
- Solve two-step problems with addition and subtraction in sequence
- Maintain accuracy while processing multiple operations in one problem
- Apply left-to-right order of operations for addition and subtraction
- Build automaticity with fact fluency in mixed-operation contexts
Common mistakes to watch for
Many third graders forget to process operations left to right and instead subtract first or add first based on which operation they notice first. You might see a child write 12 + 5 − 3 = 12 + 2 = 14 (subtracting before adding) instead of the correct 17 − 3 = 14. Another common error is misreading the operation sign and doing the opposite—solving − when the sign shows +. Watch for children who pause noticeably or count on fingers for each step; this often signals they're not yet comfortable with the sequence. Pointing out the operation signs and having them say 'add first, then subtract' aloud before solving helps anchor the correct process.
Practice mixed operations during real-world activities like snack prep or toy organizing. For example, say: 'We have 8 crackers, add 6 more—that's 14. Now eat 5. How many are left?' Have your child write out the problem (8 + 6 − 5 = ?) and solve it, then check by actually counting the crackers. This bridges the abstract worksheet to something tangible, making the operation sequence stick. Rotate who prepares the problem so your child builds both solving and problem-creating skills.