Calculating Change Ana's School Supplies Purchase

Hey guys! Let's dive into a fun math problem today that involves figuring out change. We've got Ana, who went shopping for some school supplies, and we need to help her calculate how much change she should get back. This is super practical stuff because we all handle money and make purchases, right? So, understanding how to calculate change is a great life skill.

Understanding the Problem

So, our main keyword here is calculating change. Ana bought a pencil, a notebook, and an eraser. The prices were 12.50 pesos for the pencil, 45.75 pesos for the notebook, and 8.25 pesos for the eraser. She gave the cashier a 100 peso bill. The question we need to answer is: How much change did Ana receive? To solve this, we're going to need to use a couple of basic math operations: addition and subtraction. We'll first add up the total cost of her purchases, and then we'll subtract that total from the 100 pesos she gave the cashier. Simple enough, right?

Breaking Down the Costs

Let’s really break down what Ana spent her money on. The pencil cost 12.50 pesos. Think about this – pencils are essential for school, whether you're jotting down notes, sketching diagrams, or working on math problems (like this one!). Then there’s the notebook, which cost 45.75 pesos. A good notebook is super important for keeping all your classwork organized. You can take notes in it, do your homework, and even doodle when you're feeling creative! And lastly, the eraser cost 8.25 pesos. Because, let’s be honest, everyone makes mistakes, and erasers are there to save the day. So, these are all pretty standard school supplies, and now we need to figure out the grand total.

The Importance of Accurate Calculation

Calculating the correct change isn't just about math; it's about making sure you're getting the right amount of money back. Imagine if Ana didn't bother to calculate her change and the cashier gave her back less than she was owed. She'd be losing money! So, it’s really important to double-check these things. This skill translates to so many real-life situations, like when you’re buying groceries, grabbing a snack, or even making bigger purchases. Being able to quickly and accurately calculate change helps you manage your money better and avoids any potential errors or misunderstandings.

Step-by-Step Solution

Okay, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and solve this calculating change problem step by step. We're going to break it down so it's super clear and easy to follow.

Step 1: Calculate the Total Cost

First, we need to figure out how much Ana spent in total. To do this, we're going to add up the prices of all the items she bought. That means adding the cost of the pencil (12.50 pesos), the notebook (45.75 pesos), and the eraser (8.25 pesos). We're essentially combining all her expenses to find the total amount she spent. So, let’s write it out:

12. 50 pesos (pencil)
13. 75 pesos (notebook)

• 8.25 pesos (eraser)

Now, we add them up. Make sure you line up the decimal points so you're adding the correct place values together. This is super important to get the right answer. If you mix up the decimal places, your calculation will be off.

Step 2: Perform the Addition

Let’s do the addition. Start from the rightmost column (the hundredths place):

0 + 5 + 5 = 10

Write down the 0 and carry over the 1 to the next column (the tenths place).

Now, add the tenths place, including the carry-over:

1 + 5 + 7 + 2 = 15

Write down the 5 and carry over the 1 to the next column (the ones place).

Next, add the ones place, including the carry-over:

1 + 2 + 5 + 8 = 16

Write down the 6 and carry over the 1 to the next column (the tens place).

Finally, add the tens place, including the carry-over:

1 + 1 + 4 = 6

So, when we add it all up, we get 66.50. This means the total cost of Ana's purchases is 66.50 pesos.

Step 3: Calculate the Change

Now that we know the total cost, we can figure out Ana's change. To do this, we need to subtract the total cost (66.50 pesos) from the amount she gave the cashier (100 pesos). This will tell us how much money she should get back.

So, we’re doing the subtraction: 100 pesos - 66.50 pesos. Set up the problem like this:

100.00

• 66.50

Step 4: Perform the Subtraction

Subtracting with decimals can seem a bit tricky at first, but it's just like regular subtraction – you just need to keep the decimal points lined up. Let's start from the rightmost column (the hundredths place):

0 - 0 = 0

Now, move to the tenths place. We have 0 - 5. We can't subtract 5 from 0, so we need to borrow from the next column. But the next column (the ones place) is also 0, so we need to borrow from the tens place. This means we're borrowing 1 from the hundreds place, which makes the 1 in the hundreds place a 0, and the 0 in the tens place becomes a 10. Then we borrow 1 from the 10, making it a 9, and the 0 in the ones place becomes a 10. Finally, we borrow 1 from the 10 in the ones place, making it a 9, and the 0 in the tenths place becomes a 10. Now we can subtract.

So, in the tenths place, we have 10 - 5 = 5.

Move to the ones place: 9 - 6 = 3

And finally, the tens place: 9 - 6 = 3

So, when we subtract, we get 33.50. This means Ana should receive 33.50 pesos in change.

Final Answer

Alright, we've done all the calculations, and we've arrived at our final answer! After buying her pencil, notebook, and eraser, Ana should receive 33.50 pesos in change from her 100 peso bill. That’s pretty neat, huh? We used both addition and subtraction to solve this calculating change problem, and we made sure to keep our decimal points lined up so we got the correct answer. So, the final answer is:

Ana received 33.50 pesos in change.

Why This Matters

Calculating change is something we do all the time in real life. Whether you're at the store, the market, or even splitting a bill with friends, knowing how to calculate change is super useful. It helps you make sure you're getting the right amount of money back, and it’s a great way to practice your math skills in a practical context. Plus, it’s a confidence booster to know you can handle these kinds of calculations on your own!

Real-World Applications

Think about all the times you need to calculate change. Maybe you're buying snacks at the canteen, or you're at the bookstore picking up some new reads, or you’re even helping out at a school fair. Being able to quickly figure out change helps you make smart decisions about your money. For example, if you know how much change you should be getting back, you can double-check that the cashier gives you the correct amount. It also helps you decide if you have enough money to buy something else, or if you need to stick to your budget.

Building Math Skills

Problems like these aren't just about the specific scenario; they're about building your overall math skills. When you practice adding and subtracting decimals, you're strengthening your understanding of how numbers work. This is going to help you in all sorts of math problems, not just ones that involve money. Plus, it’s a great way to keep your brain sharp! The more you practice, the easier it becomes, and the more confident you'll feel in your math abilities.

Practice Makes Perfect

So, how can you get even better at calculating change? The key is practice! Look for opportunities in your daily life to calculate change. Maybe when you go to the store with your family, you can try to figure out the change before the cashier tells you. Or, you can create your own practice problems using different prices and amounts. The more you practice, the more natural it will become. You can even challenge your friends and family to see who can calculate change the fastest! Making it a game can make learning even more fun.

Create Your Own Problems

One of the best ways to get better at calculating change is to create your own problems. Think of different items you might buy and their prices. Then, imagine you're paying with a certain amount of money. How much change would you get back? Working through these scenarios helps you apply what you've learned in a creative way. For example, you could imagine buying a few different snacks at a store, or putting together a list of school supplies and calculating the total cost and change.

Use Online Resources

There are also tons of amazing online resources that can help you practice calculating change. Many websites and apps offer interactive math games and exercises that focus on this skill. These resources can provide you with instant feedback and help you identify any areas where you might need a little extra practice. Plus, they can make learning fun and engaging!

Conclusion

So, there you have it! We’ve successfully solved Ana's calculating change problem. By breaking it down step by step, we made it super clear and easy to understand. Remember, calculating change is a valuable skill that you'll use throughout your life. It’s not just about math; it’s about being smart with your money and feeling confident in your abilities. Keep practicing, keep exploring, and keep challenging yourself with new problems. You’ve got this! Keep those math skills sharp, and you’ll be a change-calculating pro in no time!