Money Problems
Money problems apply the four operations, percentages and ratio to everyday contexts such as shopping, change, discounts, interest and sharing bills. They appear throughout 11+ maths papers, usually as multi-step worded questions that combine several skills, such as finding a percentage discount and then working out the change from a set amount of money.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the problem carefully and underline the key numbers and what is being asked for.
- Convert all amounts to the same unit (pounds and pence) before calculating.
- Decide which operation(s) are needed: addition or subtraction for totals and change, multiplication or division for repeated amounts or sharing, and percentages for discounts, interest or increases.
- For multi-step problems, work through one calculation at a time and use the answer to each part in the next step.
- For percentage change questions, find 10% or 1% first, then scale up to the percentage you need.
- Check your final answer makes sense in context (for example, change should always be less than the amount paid).
Worked example
A jacket costs 65 pounds. In a sale it is reduced by 20%. Kwame pays with a 60 pound note. How much change does he receive?
- Find 10% of 65 pounds: 65 / 10 = 6.50 pounds, so 20% = 2 x 6.50 = 13 pounds.
- Subtract the discount from the original price: 65 - 13 = 52 pounds (the sale price).
- Subtract the sale price from the 60 pound note: 60 - 52 = 8 pounds.
- Kwame receives 8 pounds change.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a 11+ exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Priya buys a book for 6.40 pounds and a pencil case for 3.75 pounds. She pays with a 20 pound note. How much change should she receive?
A games console is priced at 180 pounds. In a sale it is reduced by 15%. Calculate the sale price.
Tariq invests 300 pounds in a savings account paying 4% simple interest per year. (a) Calculate the interest earned after 1 year. (b) Calculate the total amount in the account after 3 years.
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the money problems worksheet pack - 10 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
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