Learn the 3-Step Method
1Everything in the same form.
Work all in pounds (2 d.p.) or all in pence: 85p = £0.85.
2Column add or subtract.
Line up the decimal points exactly as in the Decimals lessons.
3Answer the actual question.
Total? Change? Cost each? Re-read, then answer with £ or p.
Worked Example
Four friends share a £26 pizza bill equally. How much does each pay?
Watch Out! Common Mistakes
Wrong! Convert first: £2.00 + £0.50 = £2.50.
Money takes two decimal places: £6.50. (£6.5 gets misread as £6.05 or 65p.)
Order! Change = payment − cost: £10.00 − £7.55 = £2.45.
⬇ Cheat Sheet
- 100p = £1; write money with 2 decimal places.
- Same form (all £ or all p) before calculating.
- Change = payment − cost (or count up).
- Check division answers by multiplying back.
📖 Continue Your Journey
Quick summary
- Work all in pounds (two decimal places) or all in pence — never mixed.
- Change = payment − cost; or count up from cost to payment.
- Write £6.50, never £6.5.
- Check sharing answers by multiplying back up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you work out change?
Subtract the total cost from what was paid: £10.00 − £7.55 = £2.45. Or count up like a till worker: 45p takes you to £8.00, then £2.00 more reaches £10.00 — £2.45 in total.
Why must money have two decimal places?
The second decimal is the pence digit: £6.50 is six pounds fifty. Writing £6.5 invites misreading and loses exam marks.
How do you split a bill equally?
Divide the total by the number of people and write the answer as money: £26 ÷ 4 = £6.50 each.
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