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subtraction

Subtraction with money

Work out change, discounts and price differences.

Quick answer

Subtraction with money means taking away one amount of money from another to find the difference, like working out how much change you get when you buy something.

Learning outcome

By the end of this page, you will be able to subtract amounts of money to work out how much change you get, how much cheaper something is, or how much more you need to save. Success signs:
  • You can take away pounds and pence to find the difference
  • You can work out how much change you get from a shop
  • You can compare prices to see what is cheaper
  • You can solve money problems using subtraction

Why this matters

Subtraction with money is one of the most useful maths skills you'll learn. Every time you go shopping, pay for something, or save up for a toy, you're using subtraction. It helps you:
  • Work out how much change you should get back
  • Compare prices to find the best deals
  • Save up money for something special
  • Understand how much money you have left after spending
In games like Minecraft or Roblox, you might use subtraction to work out how much more money you need to buy a new building block or tool. In real life, subtraction with money helps you be a smart shopper and good saver.

How it works

Subtraction with money works just like regular subtraction, but you're working with pounds and pence. You can think of it like this:
  1. Start with the total amount of money you have
  2. Take away the amount you spent
  3. Count how much is left
You can do this with coins and notes, or by writing it down in pounds and pence.

Examples you can see

Let's look at some simple examples to understand how subtraction works with money. Example 1: Working out change You buy a chocolate bar that costs 65p and you give the shopkeeper £1. How much change do you get?
  • You start with £1 (which is 100p)
  • You spend 65p
  • You subtract: 100p - 65p = 35p
So, you get 35p change. Example 2: Finding a difference A toy costs £3.50 and a book costs £2.20. How much more does the toy cost?
  • You start with the cost of the toy: £3.50
  • You take away the cost of the book: £2.20
  • You subtract: £3.50 - £2.20 = £1.30
The toy costs £1.30 more than the book. Example 3: Saving up You want to buy a game that costs £20. You already have £12. How much more do you need?
  • You start with the total cost: £20
  • You take away what you have: £12
  • You subtract: £20 - £12 = £8
You need £8 more to buy the game.

Try it as a mini adventure

The Shopping Trip Adventure You're going to the shop with £10 to buy some snacks. Here's your shopping list:
  • Apples: £1.50
  • Biscuits: 80p
  • Milk: £1.20
  • Chocolate: £2.00
You need to work out:
  1. How much you spend in total
  2. How much change you get from £10
  3. Which item costs the most
  4. Which item costs the least
Let's go step by step: Step 1: Add up all your shopping costs:
  • Apples: £1.50
  • Biscuits: 80p = £0.80
  • Milk: £1.20
  • Chocolate: £2.00
Total spent: £1.50 + £0.80 + £1.20 + £2.00 = £5.50 Step 2: Work out your change from £10:
  • Start with: £10
  • Take away what you spent: £5.50
  • Subtract: £10 - £5.50 = £4.50
You get £4.50 change. Step 3: Find the most and least expensive items:
  • Most expensive: Chocolate (£2.00)
  • Least expensive: Biscuits (80p)
Step 4: Find how much more the chocolate costs than the biscuits:
  • Chocolate: £2.00
  • Biscuits: 80p = £0.80
  • Subtract: £2.00 - £0.80 = £1.20
The chocolate costs £1.20 more than the biscuits.

Common mistakes

  • Mistake: Forgetting to line up pounds and pence when subtracting.
    • Why it happens: It's easy to mix up the numbers when writing them down.
    • Fix: Always write pounds and pence in the correct columns. Use a decimal point to separate them.
  • Mistake: Thinking that 60p - 80p = 20p.
    • Why it happens: Children sometimes forget that 80p is more than 60p, so they get a negative answer.
    • Fix: Remember that you can't have negative money. Always start with the bigger amount.
  • Mistake: Not checking your answer.
    • Why it happens: It's easy to make a quick mistake and not double-check.
    • Fix: Always add your answer back to the amount you took away to see if you get the original number.

Parent and carer guide

Parents and carers can help children with subtraction involving money in these ways:
  • Use real coins and notes at home to practice subtracting amounts
  • Encourage children to write down the problem and check their answer
  • Ask questions like: "How much change would you get if you bought this item?"
  • Play a game where you pretend to go shopping and work out prices together
  • Use everyday situations like pocket money or saving up to make subtraction practical
Remember, children learn best when they feel confident and not rushed. If they make a mistake, help them understand why and how to fix it, rather than just saying "wrong".

Practice questions

  1. You buy a book for £4.75 and give the shopkeeper £10. How much change do you get?
  2. A toy costs £12.50 and a game costs £8.20. How much more does the toy cost?
  3. You have £15. You spend £9.40 on a meal. How much money do you have left?
  4. Find the difference between £7.80 and £3.20.
  5. You want to buy a puzzle that costs £5.95. You have £3.20. How much more do you need?
Answers:
  1. £10.00 - £4.75 = £5.25
  2. £12.50 - £8.20 = £4.30
  3. £15.00 - £9.40 = £5.60
  4. £7.80 - £3.20 = £4.60
  5. £5.95 - £3.20 = £2.75

FAQ

What is subtraction with money?

Subtraction with money is when you take away one amount of money from another to find the difference. It helps you work out how much change you get, how much something costs more or less, or how much more you need to save.

How do I subtract pounds and pence?

First, write the amounts with pounds and pence lined up. Then subtract like normal, making sure to keep the pounds and pence in the right columns. Remember to use the decimal point to separate pounds and pence.

Why is subtraction with money important?

Subtraction with money helps you understand how much money you have, how much you spend, and how much change you get. It's useful for shopping, saving, and planning your pocket money.

How can I practice subtraction with money at home?

You can use real coins and notes, play pretend shopping games, or solve problems from everyday life like working out how much change you get from a shop.

What should I do if I make a mistake?

If you make a mistake, don't worry! Try to figure out where you went wrong and correct it. You can also add your answer back to check if it's right.