Making Change
MAKING CHANGE means giving back the right amount of money when someone pays MORE than the price. If a snack costs 65 cents and you give the cashier 1 dollar (100 cents), they should give you 35 cents back. The change = what you paid − what it cost.
Pro trick: cashiers often "count up" instead of subtracting. Item is 65 cents, you paid 100. Count UP from 65: "65... 70 (1 nickel), 75 (1 nickel), 100 (1 quarter)." Total change = 1 quarter + 2 nickels = 35 cents. Counting up gives you the right coins automatically.
A drink costs 80 cents. You pay with a 1-dollar bill. How much change should you get?
Another tip: always COUNT YOUR CHANGE before walking away. Cashiers sometimes make mistakes. Count it back yourself: "65 cents was the price... and 5 makes 70, and 5 makes 75, and a quarter makes 100." If the math checks out, you got the right change.
Change Practice
Practice making change with someone in your family. They pretend to be the cashier. You pretend to buy things at different prices. Take turns. After 5 rounds, switch roles.
Making change is one of the first real-world math skills you'll use. Whether you're selling lemonade or buying a snack, knowing how to give and check change protects your money.
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