Money & Making Change Word Problems
Problem 1
Mia wants to buy a book at the school fair. The book costs $3.75. She pays with a $5 bill. How much change should she receive?
Problem 2
Jake is at a lemonade stand. He buys one cup of lemonade for $1.25 and a cookie for $0.85. He pays with a $5 bill. How much change does he get back?
Problem 3
Sofia has the following coins in her pocket:
- 3 quarters
- 4 dimes
- 2 nickels
- 3 pennies
She wants to buy a pencil case that costs $1.45. Does she have enough money? If yes, how much will she have left over?
Problem 4
At a toy store, Marcus picks out a small toy car for $4.50 and a pack of stickers for $2.30. He has a $10 bill. How much change will Marcus receive after buying both items?
Problem 5
A bakery is selling muffins for $0.60 each. Lily wants to buy 4 muffins. She pays with a $5 bill. How much change does Lily get back?
Answer Key
Problem 1 — Solution
The book costs $3.75. Mia pays with $5.00.
$$\$5.00 - \$3.75 = \$1.25$$
Mia receives $1.25 in change.
Problem 2 — Solution
First, find the total cost of both items:
$$\$1.25 + \$0.85 = \$2.10$$
Then subtract from $5.00:
$$\$5.00 - \$2.10 = \$2.90$$
Jake receives $2.90 in change.
Problem 3 — Solution
First, find how much money Sofia has:
| Coin | Value each | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 3 quarters | $0.25 | $0.75 |
| 4 dimes | $0.10 | $0.40 |
| 2 nickels | $0.05 | $0.10 |
| 3 pennies | $0.01 | $0.03 |
$$\$0.75 + \$0.40 + \$0.10 + \$0.03 = \$1.28$$
The pencil case costs $1.45. Sofia only has $1.28.
$$\$1.45 > \$1.28$$
No, Sofia does not have enough money. She is $0.17 short.
Problem 4 — Solution
First, find the total cost of both items:
$$\$4.50 + \$2.30 = \$6.80$$
Then subtract from $10.00:
$$\$10.00 - \$6.80 = \$3.20$$
Marcus receives $3.20 in change.
Problem 5 — Solution
First, find the total cost of 4 muffins:
$$4 \times \$0.60 = \$2.40$$
Then subtract from $5.00:
$$\$5.00 - \$2.40 = \$2.60$$
Lily receives $2.60 in change.