Money • Topic 6 of 7

Shopping-Based Problems

Shopping problems are where everything in this chapter comes together. A typical question describes a child going to a shop, buying a few things at given rates, paying with a note, and asks for the total cost, the change, or how much more money is needed. The method is always the same three steps: first work out the cost of each item by multiplying rate by quantity, then add the costs to get the total, and finally compare that total with the money in hand. If the money given is more than the total, you subtract to find the change; if it is less, you subtract the other way to find the shortfall. For instance, if a girl buys 2 books at Rs 30 each and pays with a Rs 100 note, the total is 2 x 30 = Rs 60 and the change is 100 - 60 = Rs 40. These problems test whether a child can pick the right operation for each step rather than just compute blindly, which is exactly the kind of reasoning CTET wants future teachers to recognise. Reading the question carefully to see what is actually being asked, the total, the change, or the shortfall, is half the battle.

✅ Solved examples

1. A girl buys 2 books at Rs 30 each and pays with a Rs 100 note. How much change does she get?
Total = 2 x 30 = Rs 60. Change = 100 - 60 = Rs 40.
2. Sam buys 3 pens at Rs 15 each and 1 file at Rs 25. He gives Rs 100. What change should he receive?
Pens: 3 x 15 = Rs 45. With the file: 45 + 25 = Rs 70. Change = 100 - 70 = Rs 30.
3. A boy wants a cricket ball costing Rs 120 but has only Rs 95. How much more does he need?
Shortfall = 120 - 95 = Rs 25. He needs twenty-five rupees more.
4. Riya buys 4 oranges at Rs 8 each and 5 bananas at Rs 4 each. What is her total bill?
Oranges: 4 x 8 = Rs 32. Bananas: 5 x 4 = Rs 20. Total = 32 + 20 = Rs 52.

✏️ Practice — try these, take hints as needed

1. A child buys 5 toffees at Rs 2 each and pays Rs 20. What change is returned?
Find the total first: 5 x 2.
Then 20 - total.
Rs 10
2. Anil buys 2 kg sugar at Rs 40 per kg and 1 packet of tea at Rs 60. He gives Rs 200. Find the change.
Sugar: 2 x 40, then add tea.
Subtract the total from 200.
Rs 60
3. A storybook costs Rs 145. Neha has Rs 120. How much more money does she need?
She has less than the cost.
145 - 120.
Rs 25
4. A boy buys 3 ice creams at Rs 12 each and 2 chips packets at Rs 9 each. What does he pay in total?
Two separate products, then add.
3x12 and 2x9.
Rs 54

📝 Topic test — 8 questions

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