Definition
Change
In money, change is the amount returned when the payment is greater than the price.
What it means
You can subtract the price from the payment, or count up from the price to the payment. The total amount counted up is the change. If the payment is less than the price, the difference is still owed, so it is not change.
Remember it
Payment − price = change.
Example
A game costs $6.35 and you pay $10. Count up $0.65 to reach $7, then $3 to reach $10. The jumps total $0.65 + $3 = $3.65, so the change is $3.65.
Watch for
If an item costs $8 and only $5 is paid, $3 is still owed; $3 is not change due.
Common mix-up
Change is the part of the payment returned, not all the money a person has left after buying something.
Exact meaning
Change is the amount of money returned after a payment that exceeds the cost. When the payment covers the cost, change = amount paid − cost; an exact payment gives zero change.