When shopping, each thing costs an amount of dollars and cents.
Here is how:
1. First add up all the dollars.
2. Then add up all the cents.
3. If that is 100 cents or more, it becomes a dollar.
Example: Eraser 1 dollar 75 cents, pencil 2 dollars 65 cents.
1 dollar + 2 dollars are 3 dollars, 75 cents + 65 cents are 140 cents.
That is 1 dollar 40 cents, so 4 dollars 40 cents together.
The filled in numbers show the answer.
Example
- Eraser $1.75
- Pencil $2.65
$4 and 40¢
For parents
What does this exercise practice?
Add amounts in dollars and cents and confidently apply the carry from cents to dollars.
Common pitfalls
Children often forget the carry: 60 cents plus 50 cents is not 110 cents, but 1 dollar 10 cents. Saying it out loud helps with the conversion.
How to practice at home
When shopping for real, read out two price tags and work out the total price together, then compare with the receipt.
Related: Shopping and Change, Counting Money, Written Addition