To count a pile of coins, line them up from the biggest value to the smallest, then count on. You know the Coin Values.
Why it works
Counting the biggest coins first means you start with big jumps and finish with small ones. Change your jump each time the coin changes: 25s for quarters, 10s for dimes, 5s for nickels and 1s for pennies.
Worked example: Count on
2 quarters, 1 dime and 3 pennies
- Quarters: 25, 50.
- Dime: 60.
- Pennies: 61, 62, 63.
Answer: 63¢
Worked example: Switch the jump
3 dimes, 2 nickels and 4 pennies
- Dimes: 10, 20, 30.
- Nickels: 35, 40.
- Pennies: 41, 42, 43, 44.
Answer: 44¢
Worked example: Dollars and cents
One one-dollar bill, 1 quarter and 2 dimes
- The bill is 1 dollar.
- Coins: 25, 35, 45. That is 45¢.
- One dollar and 45 cents is written \$1.45.
Answer: \$1.45
Key idea
Sort from greatest to least value, then count on, changing your jump when the coin changes. Write cents with ¢ and dollars with \$.
Common mistake
Counting every coin as 1, or forgetting to switch jumps. With 3 dimes and 2 nickels, “10, 20, 30, 40, 50” keeps counting by 10s for the nickels. Nickels are 5 each: 30, 35, 40. Check: say each coin’s name as you count it.
Grown-up tip: Let your child pay for something small with coins and count out the money.