Solved Exercises on Comparing Amounts of Money KS1

Master money comparison: counting coins, bills, equivalent amounts, greater than less than comparisons through these 5 detailed exercises.

Solution: Exercises 1 to 3
1 Comparing Coin Collections
Exercise 1
Compare the amounts: Tom has 2 fifty-pence coins and 3 twenty-pence coins. Sarah has 1 pound coin and 1 ten-pence coin. Who has more money?
Definition:

Coin values: 1p = £0.01, 2p = £0.02, 5p = £0.05, 10p = £0.10, 20p = £0.20, 50p = £0.50, £1 = £1.00

Comparison method:
  1. Count the value of each type of coin
  2. Add up all the values for each person
  3. Compare the total amounts using >, <, or =
Tom's Money
£1.00 + £0.60
Sarah's Money
£1.00 + £0.10
Step 1: Calculate Tom's total

2 fifty-pence coins = 2 × £0.50 = £1.00

3 twenty-pence coins = 3 × £0.20 = £0.60

Total = £1.00 + £0.60 = £1.60

Step 2: Calculate Sarah's total

1 pound coin = £1.00

1 ten-pence coin = £0.10

Total = £1.00 + £0.10 = £1.10

Step 3: Compare the amounts

£1.60 > £1.10

So Tom has more money than Sarah.

50p
50p
20p
20p
20p
£1.60
>
£1
10p
£1.10
Final answer:

Tom has more money (£1.60) than Sarah (£1.10)

Applied rules:

• Value recognition: Know the value of each UK coin

• Addition: Add up all amounts correctly

• Comparison: Use <, >, or = symbols appropriately

2 Decimal Comparison
Exercise 2
Compare the amounts: £2.35 and £2.53. Which is greater?
Definition:

Decimal place value: Pounds come before decimal, pence come after

Amount 1
£2.35
Amount 2
£2.53
Comparison
£2.35 < £2.53
Step 1: Compare pounds first

£2.35 has 2 pounds

£2.53 has 2 pounds

Same number of pounds, so compare pence

Step 2: Compare pence

£2.35 has 35 pence

£2.53 has 53 pence

35 < 53, so £2.35 < £2.53

Step 3: Final comparison

£2.35 < £2.53

£2.35
<
£2.53
Final answer:

£2.53 is greater than £2.35

Applied rules:

• Place value: Compare pounds first, then pence

• Decimal comparison: Same process as whole numbers

• Symbol usage: Use appropriate comparison symbol

3 Equivalent Amounts
Exercise 3
Show that 2 fifty-pence coins equal 10 twenty-pence coins: £1.00 = £1.00
Definition:

Equivalent amounts: Different combinations of coins that have the same value

2 Fifty-pence Coins
2 × £0.50 = £1.00
10 Twenty-pence Coins
10 × £0.20 = £1.00
Result
£1.00 = £1.00
Step 1: Calculate 2 fifty-pence coins

2 fifty-pence coins = 2 × £0.50 = £1.00

Step 2: Calculate 10 twenty-pence coins

10 twenty-pence coins = 10 × £0.20 = £1.00

Step 3: Compare the amounts

£1.00 = £1.00

50p
50p
=
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
20p
£1.00 = £1.00
Final answer:

2 fifty-pence coins equals 10 twenty-pence coins (£1.00 = £1.00)

Applied rules:

• Equivalence: Different coins can have the same total value

• Calculation: Multiply quantity by value

• Equality: Use = symbol when amounts are the same

Money Comparison Rules and Methods
£1.00 = 100p
Pound to Pence Conversion
UK Coin Values
1p = £0.01
1 penny
UK Coin Values
2p = £0.02
2 pence
UK Coin Values
5p = £0.05
5 pence
UK Coin Values
10p = £0.10
10 pence
UK Coin Values
20p = £0.20
20 pence
UK Coin Values
50p = £0.50
50 pence
UK Coin Values
£1 = £1.00
1 pound
Key definitions:

Greater than (>): One amount is larger than another

Less than (<): One amount is smaller than another

Equal (=): Two amounts have the same value

Equivalent amounts: Different combinations with same total value

Complete methodology:
  1. Identify coin types: Recognize each UK currency piece
  2. Calculate individual values: Multiply quantity by unit value
  3. Sum totals: Add all amounts together
  4. Compare results: Use appropriate comparison symbol
  5. Verify calculations: Double-check addition
Tip 1: Always count the largest coins first (pound coins, then fifty-pence, etc.)
Tip 2: Use skip counting for faster calculation (twenties by 20s, tens by 10s)
Tip 3: Draw pictures of coins to visualize the problem
Tip 4: Check your work by adding amounts in reverse order
Common errors: Forgetting decimal points, miscounting coins, confusing coin values.
Practice tips: Use real coins for hands-on learning, practice with different combinations.
Money comparison formulas:

• Value calculation: Total = Quantity × Unit Value

• Conversion: £1.00 = 100p

• Comparison: Compare pounds first, then pence

• Equivalence: Different coins can equal same amount

Detailed Summary: Comparing Amounts of Money KS1

Core Concepts:

  • Money: Currency used to buy things, measured in pounds (£) and pence (p)
  • Value: The worth of money expressed in pounds and pence
  • Comparison: Determining whether one amount is greater than, less than, or equal to another
  • Equivalence: When different combinations of money have the same total value

UK Coin Values:

  • Penny (1p) = £0.01
  • Two pence (2p) = £0.02
  • Five pence (5p) = £0.05
  • Ten pence (10p) = £0.10
  • Twenty pence (20p) = £0.20
  • Fifty pence (50p) = £0.50
  • Pound (£1) = £1.00

Comparison Rules:

  • Compare pounds first, then pence if pounds are equal
  • Use > (greater than), < (less than), or = (equal) symbols
  • Always write amounts in standard form (£1.25) to avoid confusion

Step-by-Step Method:

  1. Identify all coins and bills in each collection
  2. Group items by type (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1)
  3. Count how many of each type you have
  4. Multiply quantity by unit value for each type
  5. Sum all calculated values for each collection
  6. Use comparison symbols to determine relationship
  7. Double-check calculations for accuracy

Examples:

  • Simple: £0.50 vs £0.75 → £0.50 < £0.75
  • Medium: 2 fifty-pence coins vs 5 twenty-pence coins → £1.00 = £1.00
  • Advanced: £1.45 vs £1.54 → £1.45 < £1.54

Tips and Tricks:

  • Always sort coins by type before counting
  • Use skip counting (by 10s for 10p coins, by 20s for 20p coins)
  • Draw circles or boxes to represent each coin when solving problems
  • Remember that 2 fifty-pence coins equal £1.00
  • Check your work by counting in reverse order

Key Notes for Memorization:

  • "More money" means a higher number
  • Always compare pounds first, then pence
  • Different coins can add up to the same amount
  • £1.00 = 100 pence
  • Use visual aids to help understand the concept
Solution: Exercises 4 to 5
4 Mixed Currency Comparison
Exercise 4
Compare: £2.50 and 5 fifty-pence coins. Are they equal?
Definition:

Mixed currency: Comparing pound bills with coin collections

Amount 1
£2.50
Amount 2
5 × £0.50
Result
£2.50 = £2.50
Step 1: Keep £2.50 as is

First amount = £2.50

Step 2: Calculate 5 fifty-pence coins

5 fifty-pence coins = 5 × £0.50 = £2.50

Step 3: Compare the results

£2.50 = £2.50

£1
£1
50p
=
50p
50p
50p
50p
50p
£2.50 = £2.50
Final answer:

Yes, £2.50 equals 5 fifty-pence coins (£2.50 = £2.50)

Applied rules:

• Mixed comparison: Convert all to same format (pounds)

• Multiplication: Count coins by multiplying quantity by value

• Equivalence: Both represent the same monetary value

5 Complex Comparison
Exercise 5
Compare: 1 pound, 2 fifty-pence coins, 3 twenty-pence coins, and 5 ten-pence coins vs 2 pounds, 1 fifty-pence coin, 1 five-pence coin. Which is greater?
Definition:

Complex comparison: Multiple types of currency in each group

Group 1
£1.00 + £1.00 + £0.60 + £0.50
Group 2
£2.00 + £0.50 + £0.05
Result
£3.10 > £2.55
Step 1: Calculate Group 1

1 pound = £1.00

2 fifty-pence coins = 2 × £0.50 = £1.00

3 twenty-pence coins = 3 × £0.20 = £0.60

5 ten-pence coins = 5 × £0.10 = £0.50

Total = £1.00 + £1.00 + £0.60 + £0.50 = £3.10

Step 2: Calculate Group 2

2 pounds = £2.00

1 fifty-pence coin = £0.50

1 five-pence coin = £0.05

Total = £2.00 + £0.50 + £0.05 = £2.55

Step 3: Compare the totals

£3.10 > £2.55

Step 4: Determine the answer

The first group has more money (£3.10 > £2.55)

£1
50p
50p
20p
20p
20p
10p
10p
10p
10p
10p
£3.10
>
£1
£1
50p
5p
£2.55
Final answer:

Group 1 is greater (£3.10 > £2.55)

Applied rules:

• Systematic counting: Organize by coin type

• Step-by-step calculation: Add each type separately

• Final comparison: Compare total amounts

Questions & Answers

Question: I get confused when comparing amounts like £0.95 and £1.05. How do I know which is bigger?

Answer: Great question! Here's how to compare £0.95 and £1.05:

  • Step 1: Look at the pound amounts first. £0.95 has 0 pounds, £1.05 has 1 pound.
  • Step 2: Since 0 < 1, we know £0.95 < £1.05 without even looking at the pence.

Think of it this way: £0.95 is less than £1.00, while £1.05 is more than £1.00. So £1.05 is definitely bigger!

Remember the rule: Always compare pounds first, then pence if pounds are equal.

Question: Why does 2 fifty-pence coins equal 1 pound? I thought fifty-pence was a lot of money.

Answer: Excellent observation! Here's why 2 fifty-pence coins equal 1 pound:

  • Each fifty-pence coin: Worth 50 pence (£0.50)
  • 2 fifty-pence coins: 2 × £0.50 = £1.00
  • Conversion: 100 pence = 1 pound

Even though fifty-pence is a lot for a single coin, 2 of them add up to 100 pence, which equals 1 pound!

This is part of the base-10 system that makes money math easier to work with.

Question: How can I quickly count a lot of coins without making mistakes?

Answer: Here are some great strategies for counting coins efficiently:

  • Sort first: Put coins in separate piles by type (1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1)
  • Count by groups: Use skip counting - twenties by 20s (20, 40, 60...), tens by 10s, fifties by 50s
  • Start big: Count the highest value coins first (pounds, then fifty-pence, etc.)
  • Write it down: Record each group's total as you go
  • Double-check: Count again if the amount seems unusual

For example, if you have 1 pound, 2 fifty-pence, and 3 twenty-pence: £1.00 + £1.00 + £0.60 = £2.60.

Question: What if I have the same number of coins but different types? Like 5 twenty-pence vs 5 ten-pence?

Answer: That's a smart question! Even with the same number of coins, different types have different values:

  • 5 twenty-pence: 5 × £0.20 = £1.00
  • 5 ten-pence: 5 × £0.10 = £0.50

So 5 twenty-pence (£1.00) is more than 5 ten-pence (£0.50), even though you have the same number of coins!

Always remember: It's not just about how many coins you have, but what each coin is worth.

The key is to multiply the quantity by the unit value for each type.

Question: How do I know if two different sets of coins are equal without counting everything?

Answer: Here are some helpful shortcuts for checking if coin sets might be equal:

  • Look for known equivalents: 2 fifty-pence = £1.00, 5 twenty-pence = £1.00, 10 ten-pence = £1.00
  • Match large coins first: If one set has more pound coins, it's probably larger
  • Estimate with pounds: Group coins into pound amounts to get a quick estimate
  • Pair equivalent values: Remove pairs that are clearly equal (like 2 twenty-pence vs 4 ten-pence)

However, for accuracy, always count completely. These shortcuts help you predict which might be larger.

Example: 2 fifty-pence and 5 twenty-pence both equal £2.00, so they're equivalent.