Money Word Problems Notes & Questions | Class 5 Mathematics | Drishti OS

Money Word Problems

To calculate the total cost of buying several items at the same price.
To calculate change received after paying with a larger note or combination of notes.
To add the cost of two or more different items before finding change.

Symbolic: Total cost = price of one item × number of items.

Example: 5 notebooks at ₹35 each → 5 × 35 = ₹175

Symbolic: Change = amount paid − cost of item(s).

Example: Pay ₹200 for an item costing ₹175 → change = ₹200 − ₹175 = ₹25

Steps: (1) Add the cost of all items to get the total. (2) Subtract the total from the amount paid to find the change.

A pencil box costs ₹85 and a story book costs ₹120. Priya pays ₹250 for both. How much change does she get?

Step 1 — Total cost = 85 + 120 = ₹205
Step 2 — Change = 250 − 205 = ₹45
Answer: ₹45

Each geometry set costs ₹65. What is the cost of 6 sets?

65 × 6 = 390
Answer: ₹390

Mistake	Why it happens	Fix
Forgetting to add all items before subtracting	Subtracting only one item's price	Add every item's cost first, then subtract once
Subtracting the amount paid from the cost	Numbers written in the wrong order	Change = amount paid − cost, always in this order
Mixing up ₹ symbol placement	Rushing the final answer	Write ₹ before the number, e.g. ₹45, not 45₹

A water bottle costs ₹45. What change do you get from ₹100?
4 school bags cost ₹350 each. What is the total cost?
A lunch box costs ₹150 and a water bottle costs ₹45. What is the change from ₹200?
Stretch: You have ₹500. You buy a school bag (₹350) and a pencil box (₹85). Can you also buy a ₹60 water bottle? How much would be left?

Revision tip: Always write "Total cost = " and "Change = " as separate lines before calculating — it prevents mixing up the steps.

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Money Word Problems.