🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 36
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Add and Subtract Money

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Add two coin amounts to find the total cost
  • 2Subtract cost from amount paid to find the correct change
  • 3Check a change calculation by confirming cost + change = amount paid
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Mini Lesson

Now that you know coin values, you can use adding and subtracting to solve real money problems — just like at a store!

Adding money — finding the total

  • To find the total cost of two or more items, add their prices.
  • Example: a pencil costs 30¢ and an eraser costs 15¢. Total = 30¢ + 15¢ = 45¢.
  • Line up the numbers and add just like regular addition. The ¢ symbol stays on the answer.

Subtracting money — finding the change

  • Change is the money you get back when you pay more than the cost.
  • Formula: Change = Amount paid − Cost.
  • Example: a sticker costs 35¢. You pay 50¢. Change = 50¢ − 35¢ = 15¢.
  • Always check: cost + change = amount paid. If not, try again!

Working in cents vs. dollars

  • 100 cents = $1.00, so you can work in cents and convert at the end.
  • Example: 75¢ + 25¢ = 100¢ = $1.00.
  • Write the ¢ sign after cents and the $ sign before dollars.
Adding money: 30 cents plus 15 cents equals 45 centsA pencil priced at 30 cents plus an eraser priced at 15 cents equals a total of 45 cents. A second example shows 75 cents plus 25 cents equals 100 cents which equals one dollar.Adding Money30¢+15¢=Total45¢30¢ + 15¢ = 45¢ pencil + eraserTip: 100¢ = $1.0075¢ + 25¢ = 100¢ = $1.00When cents reach 100, write it as $1.00
Adding a 30¢ pencil and a 15¢ eraser to get a 45¢ total. Below: 75¢ + 25¢ = 100¢ = $1.00.
Finding change: paying 50 cents for a 35 cent stickerA step-by-step diagram: a 35 cent cost minus a 50 cent amount paid equals 15 cents change. The formula Change equals Amount Paid minus Cost is shown with a check that cost plus change equals amount paid.Finding ChangeCost35¢−Pay50¢50¢=Change15¢50 − 35 = 15Change = Amount Paid − Cost50¢ − 35¢ = 15¢Check: Cost + Change = Amount Paid35¢ + 15¢ = 50¢ ✓ CorrectIf cost + change = amount paid, your change is right!
Finding change: a 35¢ sticker paid with 50¢ gives 15¢ change (50 − 35 = 15). Check: 35 + 15 = 50.
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Always write the ¢ sign after cents and the $ sign before dollars. When cents reach 100, rewrite them as $1.00.

Vocabulary
Cost
The price of something at a storee.g. The pencil cost 30 cents.
Total
The full amount when you add pricese.g. Two items totaled 45 cents.
Change
Money you get back when you pay more than the coste.g. I got 15 cents change.
Cents
Coin amount, written with the symbol ¢e.g. Fifty cents is the same as 50¢.
Dollar
Bill amount, written with the symbol $e.g. One dollar is 100 cents, written $1.00.
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← Lesson 35: Identify Coins and NotesLesson 37: Role-play Shopping and Change →