Subtraction has never been more mysterious! The Less Than Code Breaker: Beyond 10 000 Worksheets give students a meaningful way to practise subtracting ones, tens, and hundreds from large numbers – while cracking a fun code along the way.

Each worksheet presents a series of place value subtraction problems designed to strengthen understanding of how digits change when subtracting from zero. As students work through the equations, they must consider how the place value of each digit is affected, especially in scenarios involving regrouping or ‘borrowing’ across digits. Their answers, when correctly calculated, form a code that reveals a fun action to complete at the end – adding a burst of laughter to your lesson!

Designed with three differentiated versions, this resource allows you to target the subtraction skill your students need most – one less, ten less, or one hundred less. Whether you're revisiting number sense or extending place value understanding into the tens of thousands, this activity will reinforce key mathematical thinking in a way that is playful, purposeful, and perfect for all learners.

Key Learning Outcomes

• ✅ Subtract ones, tens, and hundreds from numbers beyond 10 000
• ✅ Understand the effect of subtraction on place value
• ✅ Practise subtracting from digits containing zeros
• ✅ Record subtraction answers using both digits and written words
• ✅ Apply place value knowledge to complete a code-breaking challenge

What’s Included

One worksheet focused on subtracting one from numbers beyond 10 000

One worksheet focused on subtracting ten from numbers beyond 10 000

One worksheet focused on subtracting one hundred from numbers beyond 10 000

Each worksheet includes digit and word format sections for written responses

All worksheets include a code breaker challenge to unlock a silly instruction

Answer sheets are provided for each version for quick marking or self-checking

Materials Needed

Printed copies of the worksheets

Pencils or pens for solving and writing answers

Coloured pencils or highlighters (optional for word sections or code focus)

Laminated versions and whiteboard markers (optional for reusability)

How to Use

1. Select which version of the worksheet suits your students best – one less, ten less, or one hundred less.
2. Have students solve each subtraction problem by working from left to right, focusing on any regrouping from zero digits.
3. Instruct students to record their answers both in digit form and written word form as required on the worksheet.
4. Once complete, students use the digits from selected answers to unlock the final mystery code.
5. Students follow the code’s instruction – for example, ‘pull a funny face’ – and share the moment with a classmate or teacher.

Ideas for Classroom Use

• 💡 Use during place value or subtraction rotations as a skill-specific reinforcement task.
• 💡 Incorporate the code breaker as a reward-based warm-up or wrap-up to your maths block.
• 💡 Assign different worksheet levels across your class for quick and easy differentiation.
• 💡 Use the final code action as a group celebration to build classroom morale and engagement.
• 💡 Encourage students to explain why certain digits change when subtracting from zero, deepening their conceptual understanding.

Top Teacher Tips

• 💛 Use laminated versions with whiteboard markers for small group stations or early finishers.
• 💛 Display a subtraction strategy anchor chart nearby to support independent problem solving.
• 💛 Extend the activity by having students write their own code breaker problems using larger numbers.
• 💛 Pair students to work through the problems together, promoting mathematical discussion and peer teaching.

Less Than Code Breaker: Beyond 10 000 Worksheets bring rigour and fun to subtraction – building confidence, critical thinking, and plenty of classroom smiles!