1 · The four coins
A penny is 1¢. A nickel is 5¢. A dime is 10¢. A quarter is 25¢.
Watch out: the dime is the smallest coin, but it is worth more than a penny or a nickel. Size does not tell you value.
2 · Counting the same coin
Same coins? Skip count. 3 dimes: 10, 20, 30¢. 4 nickels: 5, 10, 15, 20¢. 4 quarters: 25, 50, 75, 100¢.
3 · Counting mixed coins
Different coins? Start with the biggest and count on. Quarter, dime, dime, nickel, penny: 25, 35, 45, 50, 51¢.
If the coins are jumbled, sort them biggest to smallest first.
4 · Dollars and cents
100¢ = $1.00. The dot separates dollars from cents. 135¢ is $1.35: 1 dollar and 35 cents.
Cents always get two digits. Five cents is $0.05, not $0.5.
5 · Bills
Paper money comes in $1, $5, $10, and $20. Count bills the same way, biggest first: 10 + 5 + 1 + 1 = $17.
6 · Same amount, different coins
There is more than one way to make 30¢: 3 dimes, or a quarter and a nickel, or 6 nickels. All worth exactly 30¢.
7 · The fewest coins
To use the fewest coins, start with the biggest coin that fits, then the next biggest.
80¢: three quarters make 75¢. 5¢ is left, that is a nickel. Q Q Q N = 4 coins.
8 · Adding money
Add the cents, then the dollars. $2.50 + $1.25: 50¢ + 25¢ = 75¢, and $2 + $1 = $3. Total $3.75.
If the cents go over 100, carry a dollar: 75¢ + 50¢ = 125¢ = $1.25.
9 · Making change: count up
Change is what you get back. Count up from the price to what you paid.
A toy costs $3.75 and you pay $5. From $3.75, add 25¢ to reach $4.00. Then add $1 to reach $5.00. Change: 25¢ + $1 = $1.25.
10 · Do you have enough?
Compare what you have to the price. You have $5.00 and the toy is $4.80. $5.00 is more, so yes, with 20¢ left.
You have 85¢ and gum is 90¢. 85 is less than 90, so not yet. You need 5¢ more.
11 · Buying more than one
"Each" is the clue to multiply. 3 pencils at 25¢ each: 25 + 25 + 25, or 3 × 25 = 75¢.
Two things at different prices? Just add: a 60¢ eraser and a 35¢ sticker = 95¢.
12 · Two steps: buy, then change
First find the total, then count up for change. A $2.25 juice and a $1.50 snack: total $3.75. Pay with $5: change is $1.25.
Read carefully, do one step at a time. You are ready for the test! 🎉
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