Adding and Subtracting Money

When we go shopping, we need to know how to add and subtract money. In second grade, we practice using cents (up to one dollar, or $100\text{¢}$). We use addition to find the total cost of items and subtraction to figure out how much change we get back.

Adding Money (Finding the Total Cost)

When you want to buy two or more items, you need to add their prices together to find the total cost. You just add the numbers exactly like regular addition!

Example: A toy costs $45\text{¢}$ and candy costs $30\text{¢}$. How much do they cost together?

To find the answer, add the two amounts: $45 + 30 = 75$

The total cost is $75\text{¢}$.

Subtracting Money (Making Change)

When you buy something, you give the cashier money. If you give them more than the item costs, you get money back. This is called change. To find out how much money you have left, you use subtraction.

Example: You have $75\text{¢}$ and you spend $38\text{¢}$ on a sticker. How much money is left?

To find the answer, subtract the amount you spent from the amount you started with: $75 - 38 = 37$

You have $37\text{¢}$ left!

Important Tips for Money Math

• Line up your numbers: Whether you are adding or subtracting, always line up the ones and the tens columns.
• Don't forget the cents sign: Always write $\text{¢}$ after your answer so people know you are talking about money!
• Regrouping: Sometimes you might need to carry over (regroup) when adding, or borrow when subtracting, just like with regular numbers.