Make Change and Solve Money Word Problems

Make Change and Solve Money Word Problems

What students learn

Students learn that making change means finding how much money comes back after a purchase. Start with Make Change: Subtract from a Five Dollar Bill so the meaning of change is clear before the subtraction begins.

Why it matters

Change problems show how subtraction helps in real life at a store or during pretend shopping. Make Change: Calculate the Difference in Cents shows the math step that finds the amount left after payment.

Learn the idea

A money word problem asks students to read the story carefully, find the amount paid, find the cost, and subtract. Make Change: Read the Word Problem Carefully helps students turn the story into a clear subtraction idea.

Try it

Ask the student to solve this problem: A toy costs 37 cents and a child pays with 50 cents. How much change should they get back? Then ask them to explain which number is the cost, which number is the payment, and how they knew to subtract.

Parent guide

Use pretend store play or real coins if you can. Ask the child to say the price, the payment, and the change out loud. If they are unsure, point back to the story and ask, "What was paid? What was the cost? What is left?"