Making change

If the price of an item is $3.65</strong>andyoupaywitha<strong>$5 bill, you should get back the difference. That's making change.

Change = paid − price.

Example 1

Price: $3.65</strong>.Paid:<strong>$5.

Change: 5.00 − 3.65 = $1.35.

Example 2 — counting up

A cashier's trick is to count up from the price to the amount paid — first to the next whole dollar, then to the amount paid.

Price: $3.65</strong>.Paid:<strong>$5.

• 3.65 → 3.75 (+ a dime, 10¢)
• 3.75 → 4.00 (+ a quarter, 25¢) — now we're at a whole dollar.
• 4.00 → 5.00 (+ a $1 bill).

Total handed back: 10¢ + 25¢ + $1=<strong>$1.35.

Both methods give the same change — pick the one easier for you.

Smart change

Try to give the change in the fewest coins and bills:

$1.35=<strong>1\times$1 + 1 quarter + 1 dime (three pieces).

Don't give: $1.35 = 27 nickels (silly!).

In the UK it works the same way: for £1.35 give £1 + 20p + 10p + 5p.

Try it

• 🔄 Make change

Summary

• Change = paid − price.
• Count up from the price to the next dollar, then to the amount paid.
• Give the fewest coins.

← Counting amounts · Decimal notation →