Money Word Problems (Grade 2)
Money word problems are stories about buying, selling, saving, and getting change. We read the story, find what we need to do (add or subtract), and solve the problem.
In Class 2, we solve word problems using amounts in rupees (₹). These problems are about things children do every day — like buying pencils, snacks, or gifts.
What is Money Word Problems - Class 2 Maths (Money (Grade 2))?
A money word problem gives you a story with money amounts. You need to decide whether to add or subtract to find the answer.
Key words to look for:
- Total, altogether, in all → ADD
- Change, left, remaining, how much more → SUBTRACT
Solved Examples
Example 1: Example 1: Total Cost
Question: Ria buys a doll for ₹45 and a ball for ₹20. How much does she spend in all?
Think:
- "In all" means we need to ADD
- ₹45 + ₹20 = ₹65
Answer: Ria spends ₹65 in all.
Example 2: Example 2: Finding Change
Question: Aman buys a notebook for ₹28. He gives ₹50. How much change does he get?
Think:
- "Change" means we SUBTRACT
- ₹50 − ₹28 = ₹22
Answer: Aman gets ₹22 change.
Example 3: Example 3: How Much More?
Question: Priya has ₹35. She wants to buy a story book that costs ₹60. How much more money does she need?
Think:
- "How much more" means SUBTRACT
- ₹60 − ₹35 = ₹25
Answer: Priya needs ₹25 more.
Example 4: Example 4: Buying Multiple Items
Question: Dev buys 3 mangoes. Each mango costs ₹12. What is the total cost?
Think:
- 1 mango = ₹12
- 3 mangoes = ₹12 + ₹12 + ₹12 = ₹36
Answer: The total cost is ₹36.
Example 5: Example 5: Money Left After Spending
Question: Meera has ₹80. She buys a water bottle for ₹55. How much money is left?
Think:
- "Left" means SUBTRACT
- ₹80 − ₹55 = ₹25
Answer: Meera has ₹25 left.
Example 6: Example 6: Saving Money
Question: Kavi saves ₹15 on Monday and ₹20 on Tuesday. How much has he saved altogether?
Think:
- "Altogether" means ADD
- ₹15 + ₹20 = ₹35
Answer: Kavi has saved ₹35 altogether.
Example 7: Example 7: Can I Buy It?
Question: Aditi has ₹40. A pencil box costs ₹38 and a pen costs ₹5. Can she buy both?
Think:
- Total cost = ₹38 + ₹5 = ₹43
- Aditi has ₹40
- ₹43 > ₹40 → she does not have enough
Answer: No, Aditi cannot buy both. She needs ₹3 more.
Example 8: Example 8: Getting Change from ₹100
Question: Arjun gives ₹100 to buy a cricket ball for ₹65. How much change does the shopkeeper give back?
Think:
- ₹100 − ₹65 = ₹35
Answer: Arjun gets ₹35 change.
Key Points to Remember
- Read the problem carefully. Look for key words that tell you to add or subtract.
- Total, altogether, in all → use addition.
- Change, left, remaining, how much more → use subtraction.
- Always write the ₹ sign with your answer.
- Check if the answer makes sense — change should be less than money given.
- When buying many items of the same price, use repeated addition.
Practice Problems
- Neha buys a crayon set for ₹35 and a drawing book for ₹25. How much does she spend in all?
- Rahul has ₹75. He buys a toy car for ₹48. How much money is left?
- Priya buys 4 bananas. Each banana costs ₹5. What is the total cost?
- Dev gives ₹100 for items costing ₹72. How much change does he get?
- Meera wants to buy a bag for ₹90. She has ₹65. How much more does she need?
- Aman saves ₹10 each day for 5 days. How much has he saved in total?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I know if I should add or subtract in a money word problem?
Look for key words. Words like total, altogether, in all mean add. Words like change, left, remaining, how much more mean subtract.
Q2. What does 'change' mean in a money problem?
Change is the extra money you get back when you pay more than the cost. Change = Money given minus Cost.
Q3. How do I solve a problem with multiple items of the same price?
Add the price that many times. For example, 3 items at ₹10 each = ₹10 + ₹10 + ₹10 = ₹30.
Q4. What if I cannot buy something because I don't have enough money?
Subtract your money from the cost. The difference is how much more money you need.
Q5. Should I always write ₹ with my answer?
Yes. Money answers should always have the ₹ sign or the word rupees so everyone knows it is about money.
Q6. How do I check my answer?
For addition: subtract one amount from the total to get the other. For subtraction: add the answer to the smaller number and you should get the bigger number.
