Change from 5 and 10
You learn to work out how much change you get by counting on from the price.
How to work it out
- Start at the price.
- Count up to the next whole pound.
- Then count up to the amount paid.
- Add the pieces together: that is your change.
A worked example
It costs £3.20. You pay with £5.
- Start at £3.20.
- Count on to £4: that is 80p.
- Count on from £4 to £5: that is £1.
- Add the parts: 80p + £1 = £1.80.
More examples
It costs £6.40. You pay with £10.
- Start at £6.40.
- Count on to £7: that is 60p.
- Count on from £7 to £10: that is £3.
- Add the parts: 60p + £3 = £3.60.
It costs £37.50. You pay with £50.
- Start at £37.50.
- Count on to £38: that is 50p.
- Count on from £38 to £50: that is £12.
- Add the parts: 50p + £12 = £12.50.
Watch out
You count on to the next whole pound and forget the rest: paying £6.40 with £10, you only give 60p back.
Count on until you reach the amount you gave. Then add all the pieces together.
You count the pence wrongly: from £6.40 to £7 becomes 40p.
Count on in steps of 10 pence: 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100. That is 6 steps, so 60 pence.
Tips
- If it does not work in one go, count on in steps of 10 pence.
Why it works
Counting on is easier than taking away with pence. Going via the next whole pound gives you two small, round steps. That is how a shop assistant gives change too.