Instructions
Welcome, Cash Register Trainee! Today you are learning how to count money accurately. Counting change is easier if you always start with the coin that has the highest value.
- Review the Coin Catalog to remember the value of each coin.
- Complete the counting exercises by calculating the total value of the coins.
- Show your work clearly in the tables provided.
- Attempt the Challenge Questions for extra credit!
Section 1: The Coin Catalog (Review)
Fill in the blanks in the table below to remember the value of each coin. We are using U.S. currency.
| Coin Name | Value (Cents) | Value ($ Dollar) | How Many to Make $1.00 | HINT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penny | 1¢ | $0.01 | 100 | Copper color |
| Nickel | 5¢ | $0.05 | 20 | Thickest coin |
| Dime | 10¢ | $0.10 | 10 | Smallest coin |
| Quarter | 25¢ | $0.25 | 4 | Largest common coin |
Section 2: Counting Identical Coins
Calculate the total value of each group of coins.
- 8 Pennies = __ ¢
- 5 Nickels = __ ¢
- 6 Dimes = __ ¢
- 3 Quarters = __ ¢
- 9 Dimes = __ ¢
Section 3: The Mixed Coin Piggy Bank
Use the table below to practice calculating the total value of mixed coins. Start by writing the total value of each type of coin, then add them all together for the final total.
| Quarters (25¢) | Dimes (10¢) | Nickels (5¢) | Pennies (1¢) | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example: 2 | Example: 1 | Example: 3 | Example: 2 | 50¢ + 10¢ + 15¢ + 2¢ = 77¢ |
| 1 | 4 | 2 | 3 | |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | |
| 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| 4 | 0 | 1 | 5 | |
| 1 | 7 | 1 | 4 |
Section 4: Shopping Scenarios (Real-World Application)
Read each problem and calculate the answer. Remember to convert cents (¢) to dollars ($) when needed.
Scenario A: Sarah wants to buy a sticker that costs 40¢.
-
Sarah has 1 Quarter and 2 Dimes. Does she have enough money? (Hint: 25 + 20 = 45¢)
Answer: __
-
If she buys the sticker, how much change will she get back?
Change: __ ¢
Scenario B: Mark needs to buy a toy car that costs $1.10 (one dollar and ten cents).
-
Mark checks his pocket and finds 4 Quarters, 2 Dimes, and 5 Pennies. How much money does he have in total?
Total Money: __
-
Can Mark afford the toy car that costs $1.10?
Answer: __
Section 5: Expert Challenge!
These problems require careful counting and subtraction.
-
You buy a pencil for 65¢. You pay with 3 Quarters. How much change should you get back?
Amount Paid: __ ¢
Change Received: __ ¢
-
(The $2.00 Challenge) You buy a small book for $1.50. You pay with 2 Dollar Bills (which is $2.00). The cashier gives you back the following coins:
1 Quarter 2 Dimes 5 Pennies
Did the cashier give you the correct change? (Show your math below.)
Correct Change Needed: __
Change Received from Cashier: __
Was the Change Correct? __
Answer Key
Section 2: Counting Identical Coins
- 8 Pennies = 8 ¢
- 5 Nickels = 25 ¢
- 6 Dimes = 60 ¢
- 3 Quarters = 75 ¢
- 9 Dimes = 90 ¢
Section 3: The Mixed Coin Piggy Bank
| Quarters (25¢) | Dimes (10¢) | Nickels (5¢) | Pennies (1¢) | Total Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (25¢) | 4 (40¢) | 2 (10¢) | 3 (3¢) | 78¢ (25+40+10+3) |
| 3 (75¢) | 1 (10¢) | 0 (0¢) | 4 (4¢) | 89¢ (75+10+4) |
| 0 (0¢) | 5 (50¢) | 5 (25¢) | 0 (0¢) | 75¢ (50+25) |
| 2 (50¢) | 2 (20¢) | 2 (10¢) | 2 (2¢) | 82¢ (50+20+10+2) |
| 4 (100¢) | 0 (0¢) | 1 (5¢) | 5 (5¢) | $1.10 or 110¢ (100+5+5) |
| 1 (25¢) | 7 (70¢) | 1 (5¢) | 4 (4¢) | $1.04 or 104¢ (25+70+5+4) |
Section 4: Shopping Scenarios
- Sarah has 45¢. Sticker costs 40¢. Does she have enough money? YES
- Change: 45¢ - 40¢ = 5 ¢
- Mark's total money: 4 Quarters ($1.00) + 2 Dimes (20¢) + 5 Pennies (5¢) = $1.25
- Can Mark afford the toy car ($1.10)? YES
Section 5: Expert Challenge!
-
Amount Paid: 3 Quarters = 75 ¢ Change Received: 75¢ - 65¢ = 10 ¢ (1 Dime)
-
Correct Change Needed: $2.00 - $1.50 = $0.50 or 50¢ Change Received from Cashier: 1 Quarter (25¢) + 2 Dimes (20¢) + 5 Pennies (5¢) = 25 + 20 + 5 = $0.50 or 50¢ Was the Change Correct? YES