Solving story problems by counting bills and coins
In 2nd grade, children learn to count dollar bills and coins, to write the total with the $ or ¢ symbol, and to solve story problems about how much there is in all.
By Robert “Bobby” BarnettMath teacher, parent, and founder of Bobby’s Math Club
Try these with your child
These are real questions from our 2nd grade practice. Tap the speaker to hear one read aloud, or the light bulb for a hint, and talk about the answer together.
Question 1 of 3
You are counting your change. If you have 1 dime and 2 pennies, how many cents do you have in total?
- 12 cents
- 3 cents
- 10 cents
Why this matters
Counting money can make your child feel grown-up. Dimes count by 10s, nickels by 5s, quarters by 25s, and a dollar is 100 cents. Knowing what's in their hand lets your child check a price, count birthday money, or tell if they have enough for a treat. In 4th grade, money becomes a natural bridge to decimals.
Next comes solving story problems about how much money is left, where your child puts these totals to work with spending and change.
Where kids can get stuck
- Counting each coin as one, so 4 mixed coins seem worth 4 cents instead of adding their values.
- Thinking a nickel is worth more than a dime because it is bigger, so 2 nickels seem worth more than 2 dimes.
- Mixing up the money symbols, writing 25$ or $25 for 25 cents, or using both signs on one amount.
How you can help
- Pick out a small handful of coins, under a dollar, and sort them together. Name what each kind is worth, then line them up from the coin worth the most to the coin worth the least.
- Hand your child a few coins before an errand, such as 2 quarters, 1 nickel, and 3 pennies, and ask how much they have. That one is 58¢.
- Play store at home with toys priced in cents, such as 45¢ for a ball and 130¢ for a puzzle. Let your child pay exact amounts, like a $1 bill and 3 dimes for the puzzle.
The kid-friendly video below is a nice one to watch together. For more, Bobby's Math Club has free practice at your child’s level.
Kid-friendly explanation
Questions parents ask
Why is my child learning to count coins in 2nd grade?
Counting coins builds an understanding of place value: a dime is ten pennies, and a dollar is ten dimes. Money is also something children see all the time, so these problems help your child connect math to life outside school and feel capable with something real.
What is the best way to count a mix of coins?
Start with the coins worth the most and count on from there. For 1 quarter, 2 dimes, and 3 pennies, count 25, then 35, 45, then 46, 47, 48 cents. Sorting coins into groups first makes this easier. Saying the running total aloud helps your child stay on track.
Does my child need to know dollars and cents with decimal points?
Not yet. In 2nd grade, children write amounts using the $ and ¢ symbols, such as 48¢ or $3. Amounts like $3.48, with a decimal point, come later, as children learn about decimals in 4th grade. The focus now is on what each coin and bill is worth and solving problems with them.
Make learning math fun
Bobby's Math Club turns 2nd grade math practice into something fun to do together.
- Unlimited practice, completely free
- A few minutes a day, at just the right level
- Hints when they are stuck, and a celebration when it clicks
Written by Robert “Bobby” Barnett
Bobby is an award-winning math teacher, the author of Meet Every Learner’s Needs, and the father of two elementary-school math learners. He uses Bobby’s Math Club with his own kids a few times every week. Learn more or contact Bobby.
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Join the clubNote for teachers: This skill is covered by Common Core math standard 2.MD.C.8: “Solve word problems involving dollar bills, quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies, using $ and ¢ symbols appropriately. Example: If you have 2 dimes and 3 pennies, how many cents do you have?” Learn how Bobby's Math Club can help your students grow. (Common Core 2.MD.8)