The idea, step by step
A price tells us the cost
A price of three dollars means you need money worth three dollars altogether. It does not mean you need three coins: their values can differ.
Choose coins, add their values, then compare the total with the price. We will pay exactly in this lesson, so no change is needed.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pencil | 2 dollars |
| Bookmark | 1 dollar |
| Notebook | 5 dollars |
Different payments can be equal
To pay two dollars, you could use one two-dollar coin or two one-dollar coins. Both payments match the same price.
Do not add another coin after you reach the price. If you pay more, you would need to work out change; first practise matching the price exactly.
A common trap
Picking coins by their number rather than their value.
Instead: Add the values and check that their total equals the price.
See the thinking
Pay for a pencil
The pencil costs two dollars. Show two exact payments.
- One two-dollar coin has value two.
- Two one-dollar coins also have value two.
- Both totals match the price.
Choose coins for a price
A toy car costs four dollars. Can two two-dollar coins pay exactly?
- Read each coin as two dollars.
- Two and two make four.
- The total equals the four-dollar price.
Check your understanding
A card costs three dollars. Can you pay with one two-dollar coin and one one-dollar coin?
Show answer
Yes.
Two dollars and one dollar make the three-dollar price.
Your turn
6 questions · Work at your own pace.
Read the questions online
- A badge costs one dollar. Which single coin pays exactly?
- A card costs three dollars. Show an exact payment using one-dollar coins.
- A pencil costs two dollars. Show an exact payment using two coins.
- A ball costs six dollars. Show a payment using only two-dollar coins.
- A book costs five dollars. Can a five-dollar note pay exactly? Explain.
- A bag costs four dollars. Kai offers a two-dollar coin and a one-dollar coin. Is this enough?
Read the worked solutions
- A badge costs one dollar. Which single coin pays exactly?
Its value matches the one-dollar price.
A one-dollar coin. - A card costs three dollars. Show an exact payment using one-dollar coins.
One plus one plus one makes three.
Three one-dollar coins. - A pencil costs two dollars. Show an exact payment using two coins.
One and one make two.
Two one-dollar coins. - A ball costs six dollars. Show a payment using only two-dollar coins.
Count two, four, six.
Three two-dollar coins. - A book costs five dollars. Can a five-dollar note pay exactly? Explain.
The note and the price both have value five dollars.
Yes. - A bag costs four dollars. Kai offers a two-dollar coin and a one-dollar coin. Is this enough?
Two and one make three. One more dollar is needed to reach four.
No. It is one dollar short.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 money modelling, needs and wants, simple class enterprise and consequences of financial choices. Activities use supplied pretend prices and whole-dollar amounts.
Official curriculum source ↗