Estimation means finding a number that is close to the exact answer. It helps you check your work and make quick calculations in real-life situations.
Estimates do not have to be exact. They should be reasonable and make sense for the problem you are solving.
To estimate, first round each number to the same place value (such as the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand), then add or subtract the rounded numbers.
Always round both numbers to the same place value before adding or subtracting. This keeps your estimate balanced and accurate.
Rounding means changing a number to the nearest ten, hundred, or thousand to make it easier to work with while keeping its value close to the original.
When rounding, look at the digit to the right of your rounding place. If it is 5 or more, round up. If it is 4 or less, round down.
Estimation helps you decide if an answer makes sense, plan budgets, or solve problems quickly without needing an exact total.
Use estimation whenever you need a quick, reasonable answer and exact calculation is not necessary.
After you find an estimate, compare it to the exact answer to see if it makes sense. This helps you develop good number sense and accuracy.
If your estimate is far from the exact answer, check your rounding and place value steps again.