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Grade 2 · Maths · Lessons
Counting coins and notes
🪙penny🔟dime💰quarter💵bill
Coins and notes.
The big ideaMost value first, then count on.

How it works

Each coin has a value: penny 1, nickel 5, dime 10, quarter 25. A dollar is 100.

Count the biggest coins first, then count on with the smaller ones.

Say the running total as you go: 25, 35, 45, 50, 51.

Example 1: A row of coins

  1. You have a quarter, two dimes and a nickel.
  2. Start with the quarter: 25. Count on with the dimes: 35, 45. Then the nickel: 50.
  3. 25 + 10 + 10 + 5 = 50, so you have 50 cents.

Example 2: A pile with pennies

  1. Sort the pile: a quarter, three dimes and four pennies.
  2. Quarter, then dimes: 25, 35, 45, 55. Then the pennies: 56, 57, 58, 59.
  3. 25 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 55, and 55 + 4 = 59, so you have 59 cents.

Example 3: Bills and coins together

  1. You have two dollar bills, a quarter and a dime.
  2. Count the bills: 2 dollars. Count the coins: 25 + 10 = 35 cents.
  3. Together that is 2 dollars and 35 cents, written $2.35.

Words to know

value
How much a coin or note is worth.
quarter
A coin worth 25 cents.
dime
A coin worth 10 cents.

Watch out

Try it

  1. How much is a dime and a nickel?
  2. How much is 2 quarters?
  3. How much is a quarter, a dime and 3 pennies?
  4. How many cents are in a dollar?
Answers: 1. 15 cents · 2. 50 cents · 3. 38 cents · 4. 100
For grown-upsEmpty a pocket of change onto the table and ask your child to sort it and count the total. Sorting by size first makes counting easier.
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