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YEAR 1 · MONEY PROBLEMS · 12 MIN

Counting notes/coins

Find a total by reading the value of each Australian coin or note.

In this lesson

Before you start
  • Counting to 20
  • Joining small collections
01 / LEARN

Understand the idea.

Look at the value

The value tells you how much money a coin or note is worth. Read that value before counting. One two-dollar coin is worth two dollars, even though you are holding just one coin.

Look at the value drawings. Two one-dollar coins and one two-dollar coin are different collections, but each collection is worth two dollars. The number of coins can change while the total stays the same.

Count money in useful jumps

Count on by each value. With a two-dollar coin and a one-dollar coin, start at two, then count one more to reach three dollars. Keep each coin in its own place so you count it once.

A note also has a value. For two five-dollar notes, count five, then ten. Say the total in dollars so it is clear you are counting money, rather than pieces of paper.

02 / WORKED EXAMPLES

See the method in action.

EXAMPLE 01

One coin of each value

How much is one two-dollar coin and one one-dollar coin?

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Read the value of each coin.

    2 dollars and 1 dollar

    The printed value tells us what each coin is worth.

  2. 2

    Start at two and count one more.

    2+1=3

    The one-dollar coin adds one to the two dollars.

  3. 3

    State the total value.

    3 dollars

    Both coin values have been included once.

Answer

3 dollars.

EXAMPLE 02

Count notes

How much are two five-dollar notes?

Worked solution

  1. 1

    Count the first note.

    5 dollars

    A five-dollar note is worth five dollars.

  2. 2

    Add the value of the second note.

    5+5=10

    The second note adds another five dollars.

  3. 3

    Name the money total.

    10 dollars

    There are two notes, and their combined value is ten dollars.

Answer

10 dollars.

03 / YOUR TURN

Try it yourself.

Check your understanding

How much are three one-dollar coins?

Show answer & reasoning

3 dollars.

Each coin adds one dollar: 1+1+1=3. The three coins are worth three dollars altogether.

Keep practising

6 worksheet questions

Read the questions online
  1. How much are two two-dollar coins?
  2. How much is one five-dollar note and one one-dollar coin?
  3. Which has more value: one two-dollar coin or one one-dollar coin?
  4. How much is one ten-dollar note?
  5. Sam has two one-dollar coins. Jo has one two-dollar coin. Who has more money?
  6. How much are one five-dollar note and two two-dollar coins?
Read the worked solutions
  1. How much are two two-dollar coins?

    Count in twos: two, four.

    4 dollars.
  2. How much is one five-dollar note and one one-dollar coin?

    Five and one make six.

    6 dollars.
  3. Which has more value: one two-dollar coin or one one-dollar coin?

    Two dollars is more than one dollar.

    The two-dollar coin.
  4. How much is one ten-dollar note?

    Its printed value is ten dollars. It is not worth just one dollar because there is one note.

    10 dollars.
  5. Sam has two one-dollar coins. Jo has one two-dollar coin. Who has more money?

    Sam has one and one, making two. Jo's coin is worth two.

    They have the same amount: 2 dollars each.
  6. How much are one five-dollar note and two two-dollar coins?

    Start at five. Add two to get seven, then two more to get nine.

    9 dollars.
Checking saved progress…
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 ↗

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