Money word problems
Money problems are everyday situations. They mix what you already know — adding, subtracting, multiplying — but in euros and cents.
Pattern 1 — total cost
I bought 3 ice creams for 1.50 € each. How much altogether?
- Equal items → multiply.
- 3 × 1.50 = 4.50 €.
Pattern 2 — change
A book costs 7 €. I paid with 10 €. How much change?
- Paid − price → subtract.
- 10 − 7 = 3 €.
Pattern 3 — saving
I save 2 € every week. How much in 5 weeks?
- Same amount each week → multiply.
- 2 × 5 = 10 €.
Pattern 4 — comparison
Anna has 12 €. Peter has 8 €. How much more?
- "How much more" → subtract.
- 12 − 8 = 4 €.
Pattern 5 — multi-step
Step 1 — total spent:I have 20 €. I bought a notebook for 4.50 € and a pen for 2 €. How much left?
Step 2 — what's left:4.50 + 2 = 6.50 €.
20 − 6.50 = 13.50 €.
Watch out
- Always convert to the same unit before adding (cents and euros are different units).
- Always end with the unit in the answer ("13.50 €", not "13.50").
Try it
Summary
- Read carefully, decide the operation, compute.
- Equal items → multiply. Difference → subtract.
- Multi-step problems often appear with money — write each step.