● 🇺🇸 Everyday money math

How to Make Change with U.S. Money

Learn how to make change with U.S. money by counting up from the price to the amount paid, using a clear USD example.

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Grades 2-4 · 3 page PDFMake Change Workbook
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Penny1¢
Nickel5¢
Dime10¢
Quarter25¢

What does making change mean?

Change is the money returned when someone pays more than an item costs. The difference between the amount paid and the price is the change due.

Amount paid−Price=Change due

Use the counting-up method

Start at the price and add convenient local coins until the running total reaches the amount paid. Record each jump, then add the coins used.

63¢ → $1.00

63¢ + 2¢ = 65¢; +10¢ = 75¢; +25¢ = $1.00

Add the jumps: 2¢ + 10¢ + 25¢ = 37¢.

Practise making change with USD

Check the answer by adding the change back to the price. The result should equal the amount paid. Start with totals below one whole U.S. dollar, then introduce larger amounts.

Print the U.S. make-change workbook and keep the regional coin chart nearby.

MIQ
WRITTEN AND REVIEWED BY

MimesisIQ LLC

Cointastic's learning resources are created to help families and educators make everyday money math approachable, accurate, and encouraging.