Buying two things means adding their prices.
Step 1: Let's Learn
Read it, or press Listen and follow the words.
Change is a missing part
If you pay 50¢ for a 35¢ item, the change is what fills the gap: 15¢.
Why change is tricky
Paying with a dime for a 6¢ item means breaking that ten into ones. That is place value again.
Do you have enough?
Compare what you have with what it costs before working out anything else.
Three kinds of money question
How much altogether means add the prices. Do I have enough means compare your money with the price. How much change means subtract the price from what you handed over. Identify the kind before you touch the numbers.
Working out change
If a toy costs 65¢ and you pay with a dollar, the change is 100 - 65 = 35¢. Shopkeepers often count up instead: from 65, add 5 to reach 70, then 30 to reach 100 — that is 35. Counting up avoids the subtraction across a zero entirely.
Does the answer make sense
Change must always be less than what you paid. If you hand over a dollar and calculate change of $1.35, something is wrong. Money problems come with built-in reality checks — use them.
Step 2: Try It Yourself
Tap and try it out.
You pay (¢)
50
It costs (¢)
35
15
50 is 15 more than 35.
Step 3: Watch an Example
One step at a time.
Watch Ana Work Out Change
Ana buys a rubber for 35¢ and pays with 2 quarters.
- Step 1
She works out what she handed over: 2 quarters is 50¢.
Step 4: Your Turn
Practice makes it stick.
The Sweet Shop
Problem 1 of 3
A lolly costs 30¢ and a sticker costs 25¢. What do they cost together?
cents
Paying With a Dollar
Problem 2 of 3
Leo pays 100¢ for a 65¢ pen. How much change does he get?
cents
Enough or Not
Problem 3 of 3
Ana has 3 dimes. A pencil costs 45¢. Does she have enough?
Shopping
1 of 3
Pay 50¢ for a 20¢ item. What is the change?
2 of 3
A 40¢ and a 35¢ item. What do they cost together?
3 of 3
Pay 100¢ for a 78¢ item. What is the change?
Step 5: Quick Check
Show what you know.
Question 1 of 2
Pay 75¢ for a 55¢ item. What is the change?
Question 2 of 2
What is change?
What You Learned
- Add the prices to find the total cost.
- Change is what fills the gap up to what you paid.
- Work out what your coins are worth before deciding anything.