X Tables
Shopping Maths

Maths hiding in shopping: price comparisons

Compare which item costs more, less or the same.

Quick answer

Maths hiding in shopping: price comparisons helps you work out which item costs more, less, or the same by looking at the prices and doing simple subtraction or counting.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to compare prices of different items and decide which one is the best value for your money. Success signs:
  • You can tell which item costs more or less
  • You can work out how much more or less one item costs
  • You can find the best deal when shopping
  • You can use subtraction to compare prices

Why this matters

Shopping is full of maths! When you go to the shop, you are doing maths every second. You compare prices to make smart choices. This helps you save money and get the most for your pocket money or your family's budget. Whether you are buying one apple or a bag of potatoes, you are using maths to decide what's the best deal. This skill is useful for grown-ups too – they use it when they buy groceries, plan family holidays, or even choose which phone to buy.

How it works

To compare prices, follow these simple steps:
  1. Look at the price tags of two items
  2. Write down the prices
  3. Use subtraction to find the difference
  4. Decide which one is cheaper or more expensive
For example, if one packet of crisps costs £1.20 and another costs £1.50, you can see that the second one costs more. To find out how much more, subtract: £1.50 - £1.20 = £0.30. So the second packet costs 30p more.

Examples you can see

Let's imagine you are at the supermarket with your parent or carer. You see two different brands of juice:
Brand Price Volume
Brand A £1.80 1 litre
Brand B £2.40 1.5 litres
You want to know which one gives you more juice for your money. Let's work it out: Step 1: Write down the prices.
  • Brand A: £1.80
  • Brand B: £2.40
Step 2: Find the difference.
  • £2.40 - £1.80 = £0.60
So Brand B costs 60p more than Brand A. But wait – Brand B also gives you more juice! It's 1.5 litres compared to 1 litre. So you need to think about value, not just price. Step 3: Work out how much each litre costs.
  • Brand A: £1.80 ÷ 1 litre = £1.80 per litre
  • Brand B: £2.40 ÷ 1.5 litres = £1.60 per litre
So even though Brand B costs more, it's actually better value because it costs less per litre.

Try it as a mini adventure

Adventure: The Great Shopping Challenge You are going on a shopping adventure with your parent or carer. You have £5 to spend. You must buy two items from the shop. You have to compare the prices and make sure you don't go over budget. Here’s your challenge: Step 1: Choose two items from the shop. Write down their prices.
  • Item 1: £?
  • Item 2: £?
Step 2: Add the prices together to see if you’re under or over £5.
  • Total: £? + £? = £?
Step 3: If you have more money left, compare the prices of the items.
  • Which item costs more?
  • How much more?
Step 4: If you can't afford both, decide which one you want and how much money you'll have left.
  • Which item do you pick?
  • How much money do you have left?
This adventure helps you practice counting, addition, subtraction, and comparing prices in a fun way.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Thinking that the most expensive item is always the best value. Why it happens: Children often focus only on the price and not the quantity or size. Fix: Always think about how much you get for your money – not just the price.
  • Mistake: Adding prices wrong. Why it happens: Making a small mistake when adding money. Fix: Use a calculator or count out the money to check your addition.
  • Mistake: Forgetting to look at the size or amount of the item. Why it happens: Rushing through the shopping or not paying attention. Fix: Always compare both the price and the amount of the item.

Parent and carer guide

As a parent or carer, you can help your child with shopping maths by:
  • Letting your child help you check prices while shopping
  • Asking questions like, "Which one costs more?" or "How much more?"
  • Using real money to practice counting and comparing
  • Letting your child choose two items and work out which is better value
  • Encouraging your child to explain how they found the answer
Remember, it's okay if your child makes mistakes. They are learning! The goal is not to get everything right, but to understand the process of comparing prices.

Practice questions

  1. Item A costs £2.50. Item B costs £3.20. Which costs more? How much more?
  2. Item C costs £1.80. Item D costs £1.40. Which costs less? How much less?
  3. Item E costs £4.00. Item F costs £4.00. Are they the same price?
  4. Item G costs £0.90. Item H costs £1.10. How much more does Item H cost?
  5. Item I costs £2.75. Item J costs £3.25. How much more does Item J cost?
Answers:
  1. Item B costs more. It costs £0.70 more.
  2. Item D costs less. It costs £0.40 less.
  3. Yes, they cost the same.
  4. Item H costs 20p more.
  5. Item J costs £0.50 more.

FAQ

How do I compare prices quickly?

You can quickly compare prices by looking at the numbers and thinking about which is bigger or smaller. If you are unsure, use subtraction to find the difference.

Why is it important to compare prices?

Comparing prices helps you save money and get the best deal. It also helps you understand how much things cost and how to make smart choices with your money.

Can I use maths to find the best deal?

Yes! When you compare prices, you are using maths to find the best value. You can work out how much each item costs per unit (like per litre or per kilogram) to make sure you get the most for your money.

What if I don’t have enough money?

If you don’t have enough money, you need to choose the cheaper item or decide which one you really want most. You can also ask a grown-up for help.

How can I practice price comparison at home?

You can practice by looking at price tags, comparing items in your kitchen, or playing a game where you pretend to shop. You can also use play money to practice.