Making the Same Amount with Different Coins
Find different combinations of coins that equal the same amount of money
What a learner can do afterwards
- Show that 50p can be made with 2×20p + 1×10p, or 5×10p, or 1×50p
- Systematically find multiple coin combinations for a given total
- Explain why different coin sets give the same total
1 · Read
You already know how to write money using pounds and pence. There is often more than one way to make the same amount using coins. Adding different coins together can still give you the same total.
To make 50p, you could use 2×20p and 1×10p, or 5×10p, or just 1×50p.
To find every way to make an amount, start with the biggest coin that fits, then try swapping it for smaller coins. Write down each way you find, then look for another.
The same amount of money can be made in more than one way using different coins.
More to read
Money and time: FAQ
Money and time both use numbers every day. Coins add up to a price. Clocks add up minutes to an hour.
Practice with real things. Count coins to pay for fruit. Read the clock when you start and finish play.
1.1 Introduction to Whole Numbers
Whole numbers count things. Zero, one, two and on. Each step adds one more.
Order them on a line. Smaller numbers sit left, larger sit right. You can compare by seeing which sits further right.
3: Subtraction
Take away means subtract. Start with the whole group, then remove some. What is left is the answer.
Draw dots and cross out to see it. Count what is left. That check stops silly mistakes.
Properties of addition
Adding has helpful rules. Order does not change the total. So 3 plus 9 is the same as 9 plus 3.
Grouping helps too. You can add 2 plus 3 first, then add 4. The total stays the same however you group.
Explore more
2 · Watch
Take it off screen
Where it sits
Learn first
Optional connections
This opens up
Where this leads
18 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.