The note
How schools teach it now
Children write pounds and pence as decimals (£3.05, not £3.5) and change to pence when it's easier. Change is found by counting up from the price (the shopkeeper's method) or by column subtraction.
5-minute kitchen-table activity
Compare prices on the shelf or a shopping app: 'Which is cheaper per can, a 4-pack for £3.20 or a 6-pack for £4.50?' (80p a can against 75p a can.)
Worked example
Which is better value: 6 rolls for £2.40 or 10 rolls for £3.70?
- 6 for £2.40: one roll costs £2.40 ÷ 6 = 40p.
- 10 for £3.70: one roll costs £3.70 ÷ 10 = 37p.
- 37p is less than 40p.
Answer: 10 rolls for £3.70
Common mistakes to watch for
- Writing £3.5 instead of £3.50, or 350p as £350.
- Choosing the cheaper total instead of the cheaper price for each item.
- Missing a step when counting up for change.
Encouragement
- Try saying
- “Let's count up like a shopkeeper.”
- Rather than
- “Money's easy, you use it all the time.”