Using the Cent Symbol (¢) - First Grade Mathematics

Mathematicians love short, elegant symbols that save time and make expressions clear. When writing about money, writing the word "cents" over and over can take up a lot of space. To make things faster, mathematicians use a special shorthand symbol called the cent symbol: ¢! Just like you put a period at the end of a sentence, you attach the cent symbol right after a number to announce: "This number represents money!" In this chapter, you will learn how to draw, read, and write the cent symbol with precision.

The Anatomy of the Cent Symbol (¢)

The cent symbol is formed by drawing a lowercase letter "c" and slicing a clean line through it.

Drawing the Cent Symbol (¢):
      |
    .---.
   /     \
  |   c   |   <- Draw a lowercase 'c', then draw a vertical slash through it!
   \     /
    '---'
      |

Two Simple Strokes:

Stroke 1: Draw a neat, curved lowercase c. Stroke 2: Draw a vertical line | going straight down through the center of the c from top to bottom.

Placement Rules: The Cent Symbol Goes at the END!

Here is one of the most important rules in writing money notation: the cent symbol ALWAYS sits on the right side of the number!

Correct vs. Incorrect Placement:
CORRECT:    5¢     10¢     25¢     75¢    (Symbol comes AFTER the number!)
INCORRECT:  ¢5     ¢10     ¢25     ¢75    (NEVER put the cent symbol in front!)

Contrast with the Dollar Sign ($)

Notice the difference: The dollar sign $ goes in FRONT of the number (like $5). The cent sign ¢ goes BEHIND the number (like 5¢). Always place the cent sign right after the last digit!

Reading Money Notation Aloud

When you see numbers tagged with the cent sign, read them naturally using the word "cents."

Reading Money Notation:
Written:     Say Out Loud:
  1¢         "One cent"
  5¢         "Five cents"
 10¢         "Ten cents"
 25¢         "Twenty-five cents"
 99¢         "Ninety-nine cents"

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Describe the two pencil strokes used to draw the cent symbol (¢).

Exercise 2: Write the correct money notation using numerals and the cent symbol for each amount: Eight cents = __ Twenty cents = __ Fifty cents = __ Ninety-five cents = __

Exercise 3: A student wrote the price of a sticker as ¢15. Identify the student's mistake and write the price correctly.

Exercise 4: Explain the difference in position between the dollar sign ($) and the cent symbol (¢).

Solutions and Explanations

Solution to Exercise 1: First, draw a rounded lowercase letter "c". Second, draw a straight vertical line passing through the center of the "c" from top to bottom.

Solution to Exercise 2: Eight cents = 8¢ Twenty cents = 20¢ Fifty cents = 50¢ Ninety-five cents = 95¢

Solution to Exercise 3: The student placed the cent symbol in front of the number instead of at the end. The correct notation is 15¢.

Solution to Exercise 4: The dollar sign ($) is written in front of (before) the number, while the cent symbol (¢) is written behind (after) the number.