11 plus pricing practice: practical maths for real-life questions
21 October 2026
Building confidence with pricing questions
Pricing questions often appear in 11+ maths exams. They check if children can work with money, calculate totals, and solve problems involving change or discounts.
Key insight: Encourage your child to read each question carefully, underline key words and numbers, and break the problem into smaller steps.
Common types of pricing problems
Children may be asked to add up the cost of several items, work out the price after a discount, or calculate how many things can be bought for a given amount. Practising these skills helps children apply maths in everyday situations.
Worked example
A notebook costs £3 and a pen costs £2. How much will it cost to buy 3 notebooks and 2 pens?
First, multiply the cost of the notebooks: 3 notebooks × £3 = £9.
Next, multiply the cost of the pens: 2 pens × £2 = £4.
Add the two totals together: £9 + £4 = £13.
The total cost is £13.
Tips for tackling pricing practice at home
Use real receipts, supermarket leaflets or online shopping baskets to create your own questions. Ask your child to explain their working out. This builds both confidence and accuracy.
Key insight: Practising with real-life examples helps children see the value of maths beyond the classroom.
