Counting Pounds and Pence: Real-World Money Skills
Counting Pounds and Pence: Real-World Money Skills
Items in this lesson
Counting Pounds and Pence: Real-World Money Skills
What do you already know about pounds and pence?
Learning Objective
At the end of the lesson you will be able to identify pounds and pence, add and subtract different amounts of money, and use these skills to solve real-life problems.
What Are Pounds and Pence?
The UK's main currency is the pound (£). One pound is made up of 100 pence (p). We often see prices written as £1.50 (one pound and fifty pence).
Recognising Coins and Notes
Coins: 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, £2. Notes: £5, £10, £20, £50. Each has a unique design, size, and colour.
Reading Prices in Shops
Shop prices are often shown as £__.p (for example, £2.45). This means 2 pounds and 45 pence. Sometimes, only pence is used if the price is below £1 (e.g., 75p).
Pounds to Pence: Quick Conversion
To convert pounds to pence, multiply by 100. Example: £3 = 3 x 100 = 300p.
Adding Different Coins Together
Add the value of each coin to find the total amount. Mix pounds and pence where needed (e.g., £1 + 50p = £1.50 or 150p).
Practice: Adding Coins
What is the total value of these coins? Example: 20p + 10p + 5p = 35p.
Subtracting: Working Out Change
When you pay more than the cost, you get change. Subtract the price from the amount you paid to find the change.
Example: Calculating Change
If something costs 70p and you pay £1, your change is 100p - 70p = 30p.
Money Word Problems
You buy a snack for 80p and a drink for £1.20. How much do you spend in total?
Subtracting
Adding
You have £5. You buy a toy for £3.75. How much money do you have left?
Money in Daily Life
Top Tips for Managing Money
Count your money before shopping. Check receipts for accuracy. Keep small coins for exact change. Practise adding and subtracting quickly.
Let’s Reflect: What Have You Learned?
How can you use pounds and pence in your own life? Why is accuracy important when dealing with money?
Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.
Write down 2 things you want to know more about.
Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.
