Where is money hiding in Scratch shop games?

Quick answer

In Scratch shop games, money is hidden in the prices of items, the totals you calculate, and the change you give back. You use maths to add up prices, work out totals, and make sure you have enough money to buy what you want.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to use addition and subtraction to calculate how much money you need to buy items in a pretend shop, and how much change you should get back.

• You can add up prices of items to find the total cost.
• You can subtract the total from the amount you pay to find the change.
• You can check if you have enough money to buy what you want.
• You can use money to plan a budget for your shopping.

Why this matters

Shopping is something you do every day, whether it's at a real shop or a pretend one in Scratch. When you play a shop game in Scratch, you're using maths to make decisions. You need to add up prices, work out how much change you'll get, and make sure you don't spend too much money. These skills help you in real life when you go shopping, save money, or even play games that involve money.

How it works

When you're in a Scratch shop game, you usually:

1. See items with prices on them.
2. Choose some items you want to buy.
3. Add up the prices to find the total.
4. Give the shopkeeper (or computer) some money.
5. Work out how much change you get back.

This is like using maths to play a fun game with money. You're learning how to count, add, and subtract – all important skills for life!

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you're playing a Scratch shop game where you can buy items like apples, bananas, and oranges.

If you want to buy one apple and one banana:

1. Apple costs 20p.
2. Banana costs 30p.
3. Total = 20p + 30p = 50p.

If you give the shopkeeper 60p, you should get 60p – 50p = 10p change.

Now imagine you want to buy two apples and one orange:

1. Apple costs 20p, so 2 apples = 2 × 20p = 40p.
2. Orange costs 25p.
3. Total = 40p + 25p = 65p.

If you give 70p, you should get 70p – 65p = 5p change.

Try it as a mini adventure

Let's go on a pretend shopping adventure in a Scratch shop game!

Adventure: The Supermarket Challenge

You have 100p to spend in a Scratch supermarket. You want to buy:

1. One chocolate bar (35p)
2. One bag of crisps (20p)
3. One bottle of juice (40p)

What is the total cost of your shopping?

1. Chocolate bar = 35p
2. Bag of crisps = 20p
3. Bottle of juice = 40p
4. Total = 35p + 20p + 40p = ?

How much change will you get if you pay with 100p?

1. Change = 100p – Total = ?

Can you afford all three items? Why or why not?

Common mistakes

• Mistake: Adding prices wrong, like 25p + 30p = 55p instead of 55p.
• Why it happens: Not paying attention to the numbers or counting too quickly.
• Fix: Double-check your addition by counting again or using a number line.
• Mistake: Forgetting to subtract to find change.
• Why it happens: Thinking you only need to add, not subtract.
• Fix: Remember: Change = Money given – Total cost.
• Mistake: Not checking if you have enough money.
• Why it happens: Buying too many items without thinking about the total.
• Fix: Add up the prices first, then compare to your budget.

Parent and carer guide

Playing Scratch shop games can be a fun way for your child to practice money maths. Here's how you can help:

• Ask your child to explain how they calculated the total cost of their shopping.
• Encourage them to check their change by adding it back to the total.
• Use real money at home to practice adding and subtracting amounts.
• Set a budget for a pretend shopping trip and let them plan what they can buy.
• Ask questions like: "How much more money do you need to buy that item?" or "Can you afford to buy both of those?"

Remember, it's okay if your child makes mistakes – they're learning! The most important thing is that they understand the process of adding and subtracting money.

Practice questions

1. Item A costs 15p, Item B costs 25p. What is the total cost?
2. You have 50p. You buy an item that costs 30p. How much change do you get?
3. Item C costs 10p, Item D costs 20p, Item E costs 15p. What is the total?
4. You have 100p. You buy items that cost 40p, 25p, and 30p. What is the total cost?
5. You have 60p. You buy an item that costs 45p. How much change do you get?

Answers:

1. 15p + 25p = 40p
2. 50p – 30p = 20p
3. 10p + 20p + 15p = 45p
4. 40p + 25p + 30p = 95p
5. 60p – 45p = 15p

FAQ

How can I use Scratch shop games to learn about money?

Scratch shop games help you practice adding prices, calculating totals, and working out change. You're using real-life maths skills in a fun and safe environment.

Why is it important to learn about money in games?

Learning about money in games helps you understand how to budget, make choices, and solve problems. These skills are useful in real life when you go shopping or save money.

What should I do if I make a mistake in a Scratch shop game?

Don’t worry! Making mistakes is part of learning. Try to figure out where you went wrong and practice the same type of problem again.

Can I use what I learn in Scratch to help with real shopping?

Absolutely! The maths you use in Scratch – like adding prices and working out change – is exactly the same as what you do in real life when shopping.

How can I make my own Scratch shop game?

You can use Scratch to create a shop by adding items with prices, using sprites to represent products, and programming how to add up prices and give change.