Word Problems
Adding and Subtracting

During Nicolas Denys’ time at St. Peter’s (around the year 1650), people used money that was different from the money we see today. Sometimes, they used French “livres” and other kinds of money called “deniers” and “sols.” Picture yourself back in 1650 and see if you can figure out the answers to these money problems.

1. Nicolas Denys traded 5000 livres worth of fish during the first year he lived in St. Peter’s. The second year he earned 5500 livres by trading fish and lumber. In his third year he did more trading and earned 6000 livres.

   1. How many livres did he earn in all three years?

   2. How much more did Nicolas make in his third year than in his first year?

2. A fisherman near St. Peter’s might earn 300 livres a year. A soldier earned about 18 livres per year. How much more than the soldier did the fisherman earn?

3. A chicken and a pound of tea leaves would cost about 1 livre each. A new jacket would cost about 10 livres.

   1. How much would a chicken, a pound of tea leaves and a jacket cost all together?

   2. What would the total cost of 2 chickens and three pounds of tea be?

   3. What would the difference in price be between a new jacket and 8 chickens?