Add Three-Digit Numbers

Dear Family, 16
This week your child is learning different strategies
to add three-digit numbers.

237
Here are some ways he or she might find the sum 237 1 345.

• Add hundreds, tens, and ones using expanded form.

237 200  1 30   1   7

1 345 300  1 40   1   5
500 1 70 1 12 5 582

5
• Break numbers into hundreds, tens, and ones.

3 4
237 2 hundreds  1 3 tens    1   7 ones
1 345 3 hundreds  1 4 tens   1   5 ones
5 hundreds 1 7 tens 1 12 ones 5 582

• Add ones, then tens, then hundreds. Combine the sums.

237
1 345
12 715
70 30 1 40
1 500 200 1 300
582

500 1 70 1 12, 5 hundreds 1 7 tens 1 12 ones, and 582 are all ways to express
the same value.
237 1 345 5 582

Invite your child to share what he or she knows about adding three-digit numbers
by doing the following activity together.

©Curriculum Associates, LLC  Copying is not permitted. Lesson 16  Add Three-Digit Numbers 389
 ACTIVITY   Adding Three-Digit Numbers
Do this activity with your child to practice adding three-digit numbers.

• Have your child choose and write a three-digit number from the numbers below.
(Example: Your child picks 385.)

• Write the other number with the matching shape and color below your child’s
number. Write a plus sign to show addition. (Example: You write “1 114.”)

• Ask your child if he or she thinks the sum of the two numbers will be greater
than or less than 500. (Example: Your child says it will be less than 500.)

• Have your child add the two numbers to check his or her answer.
(Example: 385 1 114 5 499.) Ask your child whether his or her prediction
about being greater or less than 500 was correct.

• Repeat the process with other numbers.

209 191 114

415

376 360 305

188

385 401 233

123

390 Lesson 16  Add Three-Digit Numbers ©Curriculum Associates, LLC  Copying is not permitted.