🔢 MathGrade 2Lesson 39
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Solve Money Word Problems

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Read a money word problem and spot clue words that signal add or subtract
  • 2Write the correct equation (with c or $)
  • 3Solve for the answer
  • 4Solve two-step money problems by finding a total first, then the change
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Mini Lesson

A word problem tells a story using numbers. To solve it, read carefully, spot the clue words, choose the right operation, and calculate the answer.

Step 1 - Read and find the question

  • What is the problem asking you to find? Underline it.
  • What information is given? Circle the numbers.

Step 2 - Spot the clue words

  • Add (+) clue words: total, altogether, in all, more than, combined, how much does it cost?
  • Subtract (-) clue words: change, left, how much more, difference, fewer, has ... left
  • Multiply (x) clue words: each, per, groups of, every

Step 3 - Write the equation and solve

  • Write the numbers and the operation: 45¢ + 30¢ = ?
  • Calculate, then write the answer with the correct unit (c or $).
  • Check: does the answer make sense for the story?

Two-step problems

  • Some problems need two steps - first find a total, then find change.
  • Example: buy a 30¢ pencil and a 45¢ book, pay $1.00 (100¢).
  • Step 1: 30 + 45 = 75¢ total. Step 2: 100 - 75 = 25¢ change.
Word problem clue words for addition and subtractionAdd panel: total, altogether, in all, combined. Example 30¢ + 45¢ = 75¢. Subtract panel: change, left, how much more. Example 100¢ - 75¢ = 25¢.Word Problem Clue WordsADD (+)Look for these words:- total- altogether- in all- combined- how much?30¢ + 45¢ = ?= 75¢total costSUBTRACT (-)Look for these words:- change- left / has left- how much more- difference- fewer100¢ - 75¢ = ?= 25¢change back
Addition clues (total, altogether, in all) with example 30¢ + 45¢ = 75¢. Subtraction clues (change, left, difference) with 100¢ - 75¢ = 25¢.
Two-step money word problem worked exampleProblem: buy a 30¢ pencil and a 45¢ book, pay $1. Step 1: 30 + 45 = 75¢. Step 2: 100 - 75 = 25¢. Answer: 25¢ change.Two-Step Word ProblemYou buy a 30¢ pencil and a 45¢ book.You pay $1.00 (100¢). How much change do you get?Step 1 - Total cost30¢ + 45¢= 75¢Step 2 - Change100¢ - 75¢= 25¢Check:Cost + Change = Amount Paid75¢ + 25¢ = 100¢ (OK)Answer: 25¢ changeTwo steps: Add first, then SubtractAlways check your answer makes sense for the story!
Two-step problem: Step 1 add prices (30¢ + 45¢ = 75¢); Step 2 subtract from amount paid (100¢ - 75¢ = 25¢). Check: 75 + 25 = 100.
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Read the clue word first, then write the equation - 'total means add, so 30 plus 45 equals...' - and always write the c or $ on your answer.

Vocabulary
Word problem
A math story you read then solvee.g. I solved a word problem about buying a snack.
Clue word
A word that hints which operation to usee.g. Total is a clue word for adding.
Equation
A number sentence with an equals signe.g. I wrote the equation 45¢ + 30¢ = 75¢.
Two-step problem
A problem that needs two operationse.g. First I added the prices, then I found the change in this two-step problem.
Unit
The label like ¢ or $ that shows the kind of amounte.g. I added the unit ¢ to my answer.
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