Money Matters Student Question Sheet printable pdf download

Money Matters

Name: __________________________

Prior to 1966, Australia used a currency based upon the British system of pounds, shillings and pence. This

system used a base of 12 and 20 rather than the simple 10 digit system that we now have with decimal

currency. It is difficult to use a calculator to add or subtract in the old system of pounds, shillings and

pence. When you have finished these activities you will understand why we converted to decimal currency.

Converting pounds, shillings and pence into dollars and cents Converting notes into coins within the British system

1d (penny)

1 cent

10 shillings

1 penny

6d (sixpence)

5 cents

1 pound

threepence

1s (shilling)

10 cents

5 pounds

sixpence

£1 (pound)

$2.00

(no equivalent)

…

1 shilling

(no equivalent)

…

2 shillings

In this system, ‘pence’ is the plural of penny. 12 pence make up 1 shilling and 20 shillings make up 1 pound.

£1 (1 pound) = 20s or 20/- (20 shillings)

12d (12 pence) = 1s or 1/- (1 shilling)

Shillings and pence are written as follows:

1 shilling

1/-

1 penny

1 shilling + ten pence

1/10 (read aloud as ‘one and ten’ – there is no need to mention shillings or pence)

3. Writing and using pounds, shillings and

1. Write the following words as shillings and

pence (£.s.d.) – write the following words as

pence in numbers:

shillings and pence in numbers.

E.g. One

a) 2 shillings and 5 pence: ______________

pound, ten shillings and sixpence = £1/10/6.

b) 5 shillings and 9 pence: ______________

a) 2 pounds, 14 shillings and 11 pence:

c) 14 shillings and 11 pence: ____________

__________________________________

2. Adding up pence – add the following coins

b) 10 pounds, 19 shillings and 2 pence:

and convert them into shillings and pence.

E.g. 3d + 6d + 10d = 19d = 1/7 (i.e. 19d – 12d = 1s

__________________________________

+7d, which is written as 1/7)

c) 25 pounds, 5 shillings and no pence:

a) 11d + 11d + 5d = ____________________

__________________________________

b) 1d + 3d + 6d = ______________________

8d + 9d + 11d + 10d = ________________

4. Writing pounds as multiples of shillings –

pounds can also be written as multiples of

Watch a cartoon made to explain Australia’s

shillings.

E.g. 2 pounds and 14 shillings = £2/14/-

changeover to decimal currency on 14

February

= 54/- (i.e. 1 pound = 20/-, so 2 pounds = 40/- +

1966 – it includes examples of calculations in both

Convert the following into

14/- = 54/-).

imperial and decimal currency.

shillings:

Dollar Bill and Australians Keep The Wheels Of

Industry Turning (Decimal Currency Board 1965):

a) £1/5/00 = _________________________

(The Australian

b) £2/10/00 = ________________________

National Film and Sound Archive’s YouTube

channel)

c) £3/2/00 = _________________________

P a g e

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Money Matters Student Question Sheet

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