Maths topic

money

Money shows value. We use coins and notes to pay for things, compare prices, make totals and work out change.

Practise money Explore money Back to topics

the big idea

Money amounts are made from dollars and cents. Coins and notes have different values, and different combinations can make the same total.

value $2 is worth more than 50c
total $1 + 50c = $1.50
change $5 - $3 = $2

build a money amount

Choose an amount and see one way to make it with Australian coins and notes.

$2 $1 20c 20c

$3.40

dollars and cents3 dollars and 40 cents one way1 x $2 + 1 x $1 + 2 x 20c remember$3.40 has dollars and cents.
amount

Australian coins and notes

Australian money uses coins and notes. Each coin or note has a value.

  • Coins include 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, $1 and $2.
  • Notes include $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
  • Read the value before you start counting.
$10 $5 $2 $1 50c 20c 10c 5c

Coins and notes each have a value.

dollars and cents

Dollars and cents are units of money. One dollar is the same value as 100 cents.

  • $1 means 1 dollar.
  • 100c means 100 cents.
  • $1 = 100c.
$1 = 100c
$1
50c 50c

counting money totals

To count a money total, group the same values and count from the largest values first.

  • Count notes before smaller coins when it helps.
  • Group matching coins so you can skip count.
  • $2, $3, $3.20, $3.40 is one way to count $3.40.
$2 $1 20c 20c
$2 $3 $3.20 $3.40

same amount, different ways

The same money amount can be made with different combinations of coins and notes.

  • Two 50c coins make $1.
  • Five 20c coins make $1.
  • Different coins can have the same total value.
$1
$1 coin $1
50c 50c
two 50c coins $1
20c 20c 20c 20c 20c
five 20c coins $1

writing money amounts

Money amounts often use a dollar sign and two digits after the decimal point.

  • $4.50 means 4 dollars and 50 cents.
  • $0.05 means 5 cents.
  • $12.00 means 12 dollars and 0 cents.
$4.50 4 dollars and 50 cents
$0.05 5 cents
$12.00 12 dollars and 0 cents

prices and change

A price tells how much something costs. Change is the money given back after paying more than the price.

  • If the price is $3 and you pay $5, the change is $2.
  • Change can be found with subtraction.
  • Counting up from the price to the paid amount is another way to find change.
price$3 pay$5 change$2
$5 - $3 = $2

money words

These words help us count, write and compare money amounts.

1 money value

coins and notes used to pay for things

2 coin 5c to $2

round money with a set value

3 note $5 and more

money with a larger dollar value

4 dollar $

the main unit of Australian money

5 cent c

a small part of one dollar

6 price cost

how much money something costs

7 change given back

money returned after paying more than the price

money facts

$1 100c
50c + 50c $1
$2 + $1 $3
$4.50 4 dollars and 50 cents
$5 - $3 $2 change

real world examples

shopping reading prices and paying for items
canteen counting coins for lunch orders
saving adding pocket money toward a goal
change checking money given back at a shop
budgets planning what can be bought with a set amount
donations combining coins and notes to make a total

quick money quiz

Try a few money ideas. This quiz only asks about ideas shown on this page.

How many cents are in $1?

Which coin is worth more?

Which amount is written as 4 dollars and 50 cents?

What does change mean?

Which coins can make $1?