Grade 4 Mathematics Measurement – Money Notes
Mathematics — Measurement: Money
Subtopic: Money (for 9 year olds) — Kenya
In this lesson we learn how to recognise Kenyan money, add and subtract amounts, make change and solve simple money word problems.
1. What is money?
Money is what we use to buy things. In Kenya we use Kenyan shillings (KSh). We can have coins and notes.
KSh 1
Coin
KSh 5
Coin
KSh 10
Coin
KSh 20
Note
KSh 50
Note
KSh 100
Note
Common notes also include KSh 200, 500 and 1000. You will mostly use coins of KSh 1, 5, 10 and notes of KSh 20, 50, 100, etc.
2. Counting (Adding) money
To add money, add the values just like numbers. Write the unit (KSh) at the end.
Example 1:
James has a KSh 20 note and a KSh 10 coin. How much money does he have?
KSh 20
KSh 10
Add: 20 + 10 = 30. So James has KSh 30.
3. Making change (Subtracting)
If you pay more than the price, you get change. Subtract the price from the amount given.
Example 2:
A packet of sweets costs KSh 25. Mary pays with a KSh 50 note. How much change should she get?
Subtract: 50 − 25 = 25. Mary gets KSh 25 change.
We can give KSh 25 as: one KSh 20 note and one KSh 5 coin, or two KSh 10 coins and one KSh 5 coin, etc.
4. Comparing prices
To see which item is cheaper, compare their prices or subtract to find the difference.
Example 3:
A bottle of juice costs KSh 30 and a sandwich costs KSh 45. Which is cheaper and by how much?
45 − 30 = 15. The juice is cheaper by KSh 15.
5. Tips for counting and giving change
- Group notes and coins: put big notes first (KSh 100, 50), then small notes, then coins.
- Use subtraction to find change: Change = Amount paid − Price.
- Practice with real coins and notes if you can — it helps to see the values.
- When adding many coins, make groups of 10 or 20 to add quickly.
6. Try these questions
- A loaf of bread costs KSh 35. How much do 2 loaves cost?
- Lina has a KSh 50 note and two KSh 10 coins. How much money has she?
- A pen costs KSh 18. Simon pays with a KSh 50 note. How much change does he get?
- Which is more expensive: item A KSh 120 or item B KSh 95? By how much?
- Mrs. Otieno buys 3 packets of maize flour at KSh 40 each. How much does she pay?
- If you want KSh 75 and you have two KSh 50 notes, how much extra will you give and how much change do you get?
Answers
- 2 × 35 = KSh 70.
- 50 + 10 + 10 = KSh 70.
- Change = 50 − 18 = KSh 32.
- 120 − 95 = KSh 25. Item A is more expensive by KSh 25.
- 3 × 40 = KSh 120.
- Two KSh 50 notes = KSh 100. You give KSh 100 for KSh 75, so change = 100 − 75 = KSh 25.