Estimate Introduction
Are you looking to know the precise meaning of “Estimate’ In Math''?
Yes!
Here, we will brief you on the term “ Estimate” which you may come across frequently while performing Mathematical calculations.
The term “ Estimate” is nothing but finding a value that is close enough to the correct answer, generally with some thought or calculation involved.
Example:
Tina estimated there were 30 students in class by counting one row and multiplying by the rest of the rows.
Read below to know more on estimation in Math.
Estimating Numbers
What Is An Estimate?
An estimate is defined as an approximation of a value. We estimate when we don't need a precise value, but need a value that is close to the correct answer.
What Is The Simple Way of Estimating An Answer?
The simple way to estimate an answer is to round all the numbers you are working to the nearest 10, 100, or 1000 and do the necessary calculations. This is where long numbers can be made simpler by rounding or expressing in terms of the nearest unit i.e. 10, 100, 1000, or a certain number of decimals.
For example, 1756 to the nearest 10 is 1760, to the nearest 100 is 1800, and to the nearest 1000 is 2000.
What Is The General Rule of Rounding A Number To Nearest 10 In Math?
Following are the general rules of rounding a number to the nearest 10.
While rounding a number to the nearest 10, check the digit in one's place. If the digit in one's place is less than 5, replace the digit in one's place by 0.
On the other hand, if the digit in the one's place is equal to or more than 5, then replace the digit in the one's place by 0 and increase the digit in the ten's place by 1.
Example:
Round 54 to the nearest 10.
Solution:
Here, the digit in one's place is less than 5.
Hence, we will replace the digit in the one's place with 0.
Therefore, 54 to the nearest 10 is 50.
What Is The General Rule of Rounding A Number To Nearest 100 In Math?
Following are the general rules of rounding a number to the nearest 100.
While rounding a number to the nearest 100, check the digit in ten's place. If the digit in ten's place is less than 5, replace the digit in one's and ten’s place by 0.
On the other hand, if the digit in the ten's place is equal to or more than 5, then replace the digit in the one's and ten’s place by 0 and increase the digit in the hundred's place by 1.
Example:
Round 547 to the nearest 100.
Solution:
Here, the digit in the 10’s place is less than 5.
Hence, we will replace the digit in the one's and ten’s place with 0.
Therefore, 547 to the nearest 100 is 500.
What Is The General Rule of Rounding A Number To Nearest 1000 In Math?
While rounding a number to nearest 1000, check the digit in hundreds place. If the digit in the hundred's place is less than 5, replace the digit in ones, tens, and hundreds place by 0.
On the other hand, if the digit in the hundred places is equal to or more than 5, then replace the digit in the one, tens, and, hundreds place by 0 and increase the digit in the thousand's place by 1.
Example 2:
Round 8985 to the nearest 1000.
Solution:
Here, the digit in the 100’s place is more than 5.
Hence, we will replace the digit in the ones, tens, and hundreds place by 0. Accordingly, 9, 8, and 5 are replaced with 0.
And we will increase the digit in the 1000' place by 1. Accordingly 8 is replaced with 9.
Therefore, 8985 to the nearest 10 is 9000.
How Is Estimating An Answer Useful?
Estimates enable us to identify the potential errors and speedily verify our answer. If by estimating the value, we can minimize the range of values in multiple choice questions, then we can easily eliminate wrong answers and improve our chances at guessing the correct answer. If we eliminate all options except one, then that must be the correct answer.
In general, estimates are done by rounding. For example, if we want to multiply 31 and 59, then we will round down 31 to 30 and round up 59 to 60 to determine the estimation of 1800. Although the actual number is 1829, 1800 is a reasonable estimate. The similar rounding can be done with arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, and division.
Estimating Examples With Solution
Example 1:
A businessman has 3 departmental stores.
Each store has about 15 customers visiting each day.
Find the estimated number of customers visiting stores everyday.
Solution:
This is an estimation problem of multiplication.
The simple rule is to estimate all the numbers that we need to multiply to the nearest rounding number.
The total number of customers: Total number of shops Number of customers visiting the store.
Total Number of Customers: 3 * 15
Estimating Value: 3 * 20
Therefore, the total number of customers visiting stores everyday is 60.
Example 2:
Tom is Planning to renovate his agriculture land.
He is looking to reseed his entire land.
The dimensions of the land are: 11.4 ft and 13.5 ft
Help Tom to find the estimated area of this land.
Solutions:
The dimensions of the land are: 11.4 ft and 13.5 ft
Estimated Value: 11 ft and 14 ft
The agricultural land is in the form of a rectangle.
Area of the land: Length * Breadth
Estimated area of land: 11 * 14
= 154 sq ft
Therefore, 154 sq ft is the required estimate of land.
Example 3:
There are 2358 families in the small village.
An average of two children from each family will attend a children welfare program organized at different schools in the village.
About 220 students can be accommodated in each school.
Find the minimum number of school directions needed in this region.
Solution:
Total number of families: 2358 rounded to nearest 1000 is 2000.
The capacity of each school to accomodate students: 220 rounded to the nearest 100 is 200.
The final estimated answer is: 2000 ÷ 200 = 10
Therefore, 10 school directions are required.
Solved Examples
Question 1: Round off the following numbers to the nearest whole number.
3.6
86.12
43.85
23.5423
Solution:
3.6
The number next to 3 is 6. The number 6 is more than 5. Hence, you will round off the 3 to the next whole number that is 4. The estimate number here is 4.
86.12
The number next to 1 is 2. The number 2 is less than 5. Hence, you will retain the same number. Next, the number next to 6 is 1. The number 1 is less than 5. Hence, you will retain the same number. Hence, you will be rounding and estimate by rounding off the 86 to the same whole number that is 86. The estimate by rounding off the number here is 86.
43.85
The number next to 8 is 5. The number 5 is equal to 5. Hence, you will be rounding and estimating it off to the next number. Next, the number next to 3 is 9. The number 9 is greater than 5. Hence, you will round it off to the next number. Hence, you will be rounding and estimating the 43 to the next whole number, your final answer will be 44. The estimate number here is 44.
23.5423
The number next to 2 is 3. The number 3 is less than 5. Hence, you will retain the same number. Next, the number next to 4 is 2. The number 2 is less than 5. Hence, you will retain the same number. Next, the number next to 5 is 4. The number 4 is less than 5. Hence, you will retain the same number. Next, the number next to 3 is 5. The number 5 is equal to 5. Hence, you will round it off to the next number. Hence, you will be rounding and estimating the number 23 to the next whole number, your final answer will be 24. The estimate by rounding off the number here is 24.
Conclusion
In short, estimation means having a rough calculation of number, value, or quantity. The best way to estimate is to round up the given numbers to the nearest 10, 100, or 1000. This enables you to perform mathematical calculations easily and speedily.
FAQs on Estimation of Numbers
1) Explain Rounding and Estimating off of Numbers.
In Mathematics, rounding off is used quite often to estimate by rounding off the value of an object. There are rules to be followed when you have to round off a digit to a whole number. You have to see the number to the right of the digit. Next, if the number is equal to or more than 5, then you round off the digit to the next number. if the number is less than 5, then you round off the digit to the same number. Let us say that you need to round off 7.8. Now, the number next to 7 is 8. 8 is a number that is greater than 5. Hence, 7 will be rounded off to 8.
2) What is the Difference Between Exact and Estimation?
There is a major difference between the word exact and the word estimation. The word exact means equal quantity and estimation means something close to the actual value. Estimation is known to save you a lot of time. But when you round off the values, you don’t even need calculators to find the required solution of a given problem. But in Mathematics, you need to get an exact answer and not an estimated answer. Hence, you use it to find the number which is close enough to the solution.
3. How do estimates in Math help students?
In Math, estimate helps to determine the correct answer from a set of possible answers. Also, it provides the fairness of answers. Ideally, you should have an idea of approximate number, then if you recognize that the result obtained is incorrect, then this helps you to immediately rework the problem.
4. How to estimate in Math?
Following are the examples to estimate in Math:
Round each number to the one significant digit.
Now, calculate the new approximation calculation using the approximation equal to the symbol.
Calculate using the rounded numbers to get approximate number
5. How is an estimate useful in real life situations?
Estimates are widely used in real life situations. For example, when you are shopping in grocery stores, and trying to stay within budget. Here, you estimate the total cost of items you keep in your shopping cart to keep a running average in hand. Also, when you are purchasing a ticket for a group of people or splitting the cost of dinner among 5 friends. Here, the estimate will ease your calculation.