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Maths ยท Every game

Working Out Change from Ten

Something costs less than ten. How much comes back? Subtraction with a purpose a child recognises.

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What it teaches

Subtraction inside a context, which is where it becomes useful rather than a rule. Change from ten is the sum adults do most often, and children meet it long before they are asked to do it on paper.

It also rehearses counting on โ€” working up from the price to the amount paid โ€” which is faster than subtracting and is what most people actually do.

How it works

A price and an amount paid appear, and the child gives the change. The coins are on the screen, so the answer can be built rather than only calculated.

The help counts up from the price out loud in steps, which is the method rather than the answer.

What to look for

This one is worth doing away from the screen too. A real shop, a real note, and the child working out what should come back is the same exercise with much more attention behind it.

If the subtraction is the obstacle rather than the idea, go back to Adding and taking away to 100 for a while.

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