Grade 5 Mathematics Measurement – Money Notes

Mathematics — Measurement

Subtopic: Money (Age 10, Kenyan context)

Learning goals:

• Know common Kenyan money: coins and notes and their values.
• Count money, add and subtract amounts, and make change.
• Solve simple word problems using money (buying, sharing, comparing prices).

Kenyan currency — quick facts

The money we use in Kenya is the Kenyan shilling, written as KSh (or Ksh). 1 shilling = 100 cents (we usually use only shilling coins and notes in day-to-day life). Common notes and coins you will see:

How to count money

1. Group similar notes or coins together (all KSh 100 notes together, all KSh 10 coins together).
2. Multiply the number of items by their value, then add values for each group.
3. Check by exchanging small coins for a bigger note when possible (e.g., ten KSh 10 coins = KSh 100).

Examples with steps

Words to know

• Total / amount — all the money added together.
• Change — money you get back after paying more than the cost.
• Cost / price — how much an item is sold for.
• Exchange — swapping small coins for bigger notes or vice versa.

Tips for counting money in shops or at home

• Count slowly and out loud: first the notes, then the coins.
• When giving money, show the seller the amount you are paying to avoid mistakes.
• Use neat piles of notes and coins so you do not lose any.
• Check change carefully before leaving the shop.

Practice questions

1. Show the amount: KSh 100 + KSh 50 + 3 × KSh 10 = ?
2. Wanja has 5 × KSh 20 notes and 2 × KSh 10 coins. How much money does she have?
3. The bus fare is KSh 65. You give the conductor KSh 100. How much change should you get?
4. A Bible costs KSh 450. If you pay with KSh 1,000, what is the change?
5. One lollipop costs KSh 8. How much for 6 lollipops?
6. Divide KSh 300 equally between 5 friends. How much does each get?
7. Compare: Which is more, KSh 2 × 200 or KSh 5 × 50? By how much?
8. You want to buy two pens at KSh 45 each and one notebook at KSh 80. What is the total cost?
9. You have KSh 200 + KSh 50 + KSh 20. You buy a snack for KSh 120. How much will you have left?
10. Fill to KSh 500 using 1 × KSh 200, 1 × KSh 100, and the rest with KSh 50 notes and KSh 20 coins. How many of each do you need? (Use the smallest number of items.)

Answers

1. 100 + 50 + 3×10 = 100 + 50 + 30 = KSh 180.
2. 5×20 + 2×10 = 100 + 20 = KSh 120.
3. 100 − 65 = KSh 35 change.
4. 1,000 − 450 = KSh 550 change.
5. 8 × 6 = KSh 48.
6. 300 ÷ 5 = KSh 60 each.
7. 2×200 = 400; 5×50 = 250. 400 is more by 150 (KSh 150).
8. 2×45 + 80 = 90 + 80 = KSh 170.
9. Total money = 200 + 50 + 20 = KSh 270. Remaining after buying KSh 120 snack = 270 − 120 = KSh 150.
10. Current total: 200 + 100 = KSh 300. Need KSh 200 more to reach 500. Use smallest items: Option: 4 × KSh 50 = 200. So add 4 fifty notes. (You could also use 3×50 + 1×20 + 1×? — but 4×50 uses the fewest items.)

Practise counting real coins and notes at home. Try making different totals and checking your work — this will make you quick at using money when shopping or saving.