Topics
6. Decimals
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AustraliaVIC
Level 4

6.06 Purchases and change

Lesson
Practice
Lesson

Are you ready?

We need to remember how to  calculate the total  amount of money that we have. Let's try this problem.

Examples

Example 1

Which of the following shows a total of \$22.50?

A
An image showing a 20 dollar note, a 2 dollar coin and a 50 cent coin.
B
An image showing a 20 dollar note, a 5 dollar note and two 1 dollar coins
Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Add the value of each note and coin using the vertical algorithm. Use this table of values to help you.

A table showing the value of 2 dollar, 1 dollar, 50 cent, 20 cent, 10 cent and 5 scent coins.
Apply the idea

For Option A, write the addition of values in a vertical algorithm and add the digits in each column.

\begin{array}{c} & &2&0&.&0&0 \\ & &&2&.&0&0 \\ &+&&0&.&5&0 \\ \hline & &2&2 &. &5&0 \\ \hline \end{array}

The total amount of notes and coins in Option A is \$22.50.

For Option B, write the addition of values in a vertical algorithm and add the digits in each column.

\begin{array}{c} & &2&0&.&0&0 \\ & &&5&.&0&0 \\ &&&1&.&0&0 \\ &+&&1&.&0&0 \\ \hline & &2&7 &. &0&0 \\ \hline \end{array}

The total amount of notes and coins in Option B is \$27.00.

So the correct answer is option A.

Idea summary

The value of a coin is written on the coin. Silver coins are for cents, and gold coins are for dollars.

All notes have dollar values. The value is written on the note.

To add money we can write the values as decimals and add them using a vertical algorithm.

Money and change

Let's learn more about calculating change.

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Examples

Example 2

How much change would you receive from \$10 if you spent \$7.50?

Worked Solution
Create a strategy

Use a number line and count back from 10 by 7.50.

Apply the idea

Plot 10 on the number line:

012345678910

Count back by 7 to get to 3:

012345678910

Count back by 0.5 to get to 2.5:

012345678910
\displaystyle \text{Change}\displaystyle =\displaystyle 10-7.50
\displaystyle =\displaystyle \$2.50
Idea summary

We can either count up or count back to find the difference between the amount of money we start with and the amount of money that we spent.

Outcomes

VCMNA160

Solve problems involving purchases and the calculation of change to the nearest five cents with and without digital technologies

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