The Four Numbers

Life Skills · Money · Page 1 of 4

Name Date
DIRECTIONS: Work out each line, then the total, then the change. @ each is the price for ONE.
Four numbers, every time you buy something.
1 what it costs 2 what you handed over 3 what you should get back 4 what you actually got
Number 4 is the one nobody checks, and it is money in your pocket.
CORNER STORE
2× cereal @ $4.29 each
2× yogurt @ $0.89 each
1× bread
TOTAL
You handed over $20.00
You should get back
  1. Which line on the receipt cost the most altogether? It is not the most expensive thing — look at the line, not the price each.
  2. If you had handed over a $10 bill instead, would it have been enough? Show how you know.
    Show your work

Count Up, Not Down

Life Skills · Money · Page 2 of 4

DIRECTIONS: Read the worked one, then finish the two below.
Do not take away. Climb. Start at what it cost and count up to what you handed over: to the next ten cents, then the next dollar, then the note.

Worked out for you. The basket came to $14.25 and you handed over $20.00.

Start atGo up toThat jump
$14.25 $14.30 $0.05
$14.30 $15.00 $0.70
$15.00 $20.00 $5.00
Add the jumps $5.75

So the change is $5.75.

Your turn. Fill in the right-hand column, then add it up.

Start atGo up toThat jump
$11.56 $11.60
$11.60 $12.00
$12.00 $20.00
Add the jumps
Start atGo up toThat jump
$5.76 $5.80
$5.80 $6.00
$6.00 $10.00
Add the jumps

Three Trips

Life Skills · Money · Page 3 of 4

DIRECTIONS: Fill in the total, then the change, for each trip.
CORNER STORE
3× cereal @ $4.29 each $12.87
2× apple juice @ $2.49 each $4.98
TOTAL
You handed over $20.00
You should get back
CORNER STORE
3× yogurt @ $0.89 each $2.67
2× cheese @ $4.49 each $8.98
TOTAL
You handed over $20.00
You should get back
CORNER STORE
2× apples @ $3.49 each $6.98
1× pencils $2.99
TOTAL
You handed over $20.00
You should get back
  1. Trip 3 is the only one where you get back more than you spent. Without adding anything up, how could you have known that just by looking?
  2. You buy the trip 1 basket twice. Do you still get change from $20.00? Say why.

The Coins in Your Hand

Life Skills · Money · Page 4 of 4

DIRECTIONS: The change is right. Count it as it arrives.
Change comes small coins first, up to the next dollar, then the notes. It is the ladder said out loud, so you can check it as it lands.

The basket came to $13.15. You hand over $20.00. Write what the person behind the counter says as they put each piece into your hand:

“$13.15… ”
“$13.20… ”
“$14.00… ”
  1. Somebody hands you your change all at once, in a lump, without counting it. What should you do before you walk away?
  2. You are owed 90¢ and you are given three quarters and a dime. Is that right? How much are you short, and how would you say it politely?
  3. Why is it easier to notice a mistake while the change is being counted out than after you have put it in your pocket?