Combinations of coins
There are 8 different coins.
You can combine these in different ways to make different amounts.
We use different coin combinations, so we can easily pay for items.
Here are the different coins arranged from the smallest value to the largest value.
You know their value because each coin is labelled.
Quiz: Combining coins
Why not see how much you know about this topic already? Then complete the guide and see if you can beat your score.
Combining coins to make pence
Thomas has some coins.
He wants to buy a banana that costs 10p.
What coins can he use to buy a banana?
Firstly, has Thomas got a 10p coin?
No, Thomas does not have a 10p coin, so he needs to combine coins to make a total of 10p.
Can you see which coins Thomas could combine to make 10p?
Thomas could use two 5p coins to make 10p.
Combining coins to make pounds
Lesley wants to buy a paint set that costs £2.
How can she combine the coins that she has to make £2?
Lesley could use a £2, but she doesn't have one.
She needs to combine the coins she has to make a total of £2.
Lesley could use two £1 coins.
However, there is another way to make £2. Can you see it?
Lesley knows that two 50p coins equal £1.
Then she could add a £1 coin.
So Lesley could also use two 50p coins and a £1 coin to make £2.
Combining coins to make pounds and pence
Let’s try combining coins to make amounts with pounds and pence.
Fatima wants to buy this toy car. The toy car costs £2 and 20p.
How can she make this value using the coins she has saved?
The simplest way to make this total would be with a £2 coin and a 20p coin.
Fatima has a £2 coin, but she does not have a 20p coin. Therefore, she needs to combine coins to make 20p.
Fatima has two 10p coins.
Fatima can make £2 and 20p using these coins:
However, can you see another way that Fatima can make £2 and 20p?
She can make £2 using two of the £1 coins.
Then she can make 20p using the two 10p coins.
Example 1
These oranges cost 12p each.
How can you make 12p using these coins?
✓ You can combine the 10p coin and the 2p coin to make 12p.
Example 2
This birthday cake costs £4.
How can you make £4 from these coins?
✓ You could use four £1 coins to make £4.
However, you do not have enough of these, so you need to use the £2 coin and two £1 coins.
Example 3
This bag of raisins cost £1 and 15 pence.
If you use the £2 coin you would be paying too much and so you would need to get change.
Instead, let’s combine coins to make £1 and 15p.
How can you make £1 and 15p from these coins?
✓ You can use the £1 coin, 10p coin and 5p coin to make £1 and 15p
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