Write dollars and cents using decimal notation

What you will learn

• Write dollars and cents using decimal notation

Models used: number sentences, stories, tables.

Before you start

• Count dollars up to 100 dollars

The decimal point separates dollars from cents

We have one dollar, twenty cents and five cents. How do we write their total as an amount of money?

1. These are model coins. Read the cent value on each coin; counting coins alone will not give their value.

   One dollar is worth one hundred cents. These model coins show 100, 20 and 5 cents.

   100 + 20 + 5 = 125 cents

2. One amount, three ways to read it. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   Keep 100 cents as one dollar. The 25 cents left go after the decimal point.

   125 cents = $1.25

   One amount, three ways to read it

   Dollars	Cents	Money notation
   1	25	$1.25

3. The zero holds the tens-of-cents place. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   There must be two cents digits. One dollar and five cents is $1.05; $1.50 would mean fifty cents after the dollar.

   The zero holds the tens-of-cents place

   Words	Correct notation
   1 dollar 5 cents	$1.05
   1 dollar 50 cents	$1.50

4. Two hundreds and thirty-five more. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   To count or convert an amount, group each hundred cents into a dollar and keep the remaining cents.

   2 × 100 + 35 = 235 cents

   Two hundreds and thirty-five more

   Dollars and cents	Cents altogether
   $2.35	235 cents

Worked example: A new example, together

Write 542 cents in dollars.

1. 100 cents = $1. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   Keep dollars and cents separate as you count.

   Using one common unit makes money values comparable and calculations consistent.

   100 cents = $1

   Dollars	Cents
   5	42

2. 100 cents = $1. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   One dollar equals 100 cents.

   100 cents = $1

   Dollars	Cents
   5	42

   Write 542 cents in dollars.

   5.42 dollars

3. 100 cents = $1. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   Divide cents by 100.

   100 cents = $1

   Dollars	Cents
   5	42

4. 100 cents = $1. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   5.42 dollars.

   100 cents = $1

   Dollars	Cents
   5	42

5. 100 cents = $1. Read each value with the heading above its column.

   Check the result against the question we started with.

   Convert the result back to cents to verify the calculation.

   We found 5.42 dollars. Using one common unit makes money values comparable and calculations consistent.

   100 cents = $1

   Dollars	Cents
   5	42

Common mistakes to discuss

• A single digit after the point. The two places after the point are cents. $5.70 is five dollars and seventy cents; $5.7 should be written $5.70.

Check your understanding

• Write dollars and cents using decimal notation
• connect dollars and cents
• check the answer against the original quantities and units

Explain your reasoning to an adult, then try a fresh question in the interactive lesson. A result from one attempt is not proof of lasting mastery.