Understand the idea.
Each item adds to the total
The total cost includes every item you buy. Read each price, then add the prices together. A two-dollar pencil and a one-dollar bookmark cost three dollars when bought together.
Point to each item as you add its price. You can also draw one mark for each item in your basket. This helps you avoid missing an item or counting it twice.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Pencil | 2 dollars |
| Bookmark | 1 dollar |
| Notebook | 5 dollars |
The same price can appear again
When you buy two of the same item, include its price twice. Two pencils costing two dollars each need two dollars for the first pencil and two dollars for the second.
For different prices, you can start with the larger amount and count on. A five-dollar notebook and a one-dollar bookmark cost one more than five: six dollars altogether.
See the method in action.
Two different items
A pencil costs two dollars and a bookmark costs one dollar. What is the total?
Worked solution
- 1
Read both prices.
andThe basket contains one pencil and one bookmark.
- 2
Add the two prices.
Both items must be paid for.
- 3
State the cost together.
The sum is the total cost of the two items.
3 dollars.
Three items
Buy two two-dollar pencils and one one-dollar bookmark. What is the total?
Worked solution
- 1
Find the cost of both pencils.
There are two pencils, so include the pencil price twice.
- 2
Add the bookmark.
The one-dollar bookmark is also in the basket.
- 3
State the total for all three items.
The two pencils and the bookmark have each been counted once.
5 dollars.
Try it yourself.
Check your understanding
A card costs three dollars and a sticker costs one dollar. What do they cost together?
Show answer & reasoning
4 dollars.
Add the card and sticker prices: . They cost four dollars together.
Keep practising
6 worksheet questions
Read the questions online
- A ruler costs one dollar and a pencil costs two dollars. Find the total.
- Two cards each cost three dollars. Find their total cost.
- A notebook costs five dollars and a badge costs two dollars. Find the total.
- Three bookmarks each cost one dollar. Find the total.
- A ball costs four dollars. A book costs five dollars. You have ten dollars. Can you buy both?
- Rae adds two dollars and one dollar and says the total is two dollars. Explain the mistake.
Read the worked solutions
- A ruler costs one dollar and a pencil costs two dollars. Find the total.
One and two make three.
3 dollars. - Two cards each cost three dollars. Find their total cost.
Three and three make six.
6 dollars. - A notebook costs five dollars and a badge costs two dollars. Find the total.
Count on from five: six, seven.
7 dollars. - Three bookmarks each cost one dollar. Find the total.
One plus one plus one makes three.
3 dollars. - A ball costs four dollars. A book costs five dollars. You have ten dollars. Can you buy both?
Four and five make nine. Nine is less than ten.
Yes. Both cost 9 dollars. - Rae adds two dollars and one dollar and says the total is two dollars. Explain the mistake.
The one-dollar item must be included: two and one make three.
The total should be 3 dollars.
Curriculum reference & lesson scope
Australian Curriculum v9 and SA Curriculum Mathematics
Year 1 money modelling, needs and wants, simple class enterprise and consequences of financial choices. Activities use supplied pretend prices and whole-dollar amounts.
Official curriculum source ↗