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To Estimate Sums by Front-End Rounding

1) Front-end rounding is a method of estimation that uses the largest place value digits (thousands place, hundreds place, etc.) to estimate sums and differences. You add or subtract the front digits and write zeros for the remaining digits. 2) For example, to estimate 3,271 + 850 + 2,983 + 1,125 you would add the thousands digits to get 6,000. This is a rough estimate that is less than the actual sum because smaller place value digits are ignored. 3) Compensation is another estimation method where one number is rounded up and the next is rounded down to get a more accurate estimate. Compatible numbers use easy to work with numbers like multiples of 10 to

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Fariha Hossain
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802 views2 pages

To Estimate Sums by Front-End Rounding

1) Front-end rounding is a method of estimation that uses the largest place value digits (thousands place, hundreds place, etc.) to estimate sums and differences. You add or subtract the front digits and write zeros for the remaining digits. 2) For example, to estimate 3,271 + 850 + 2,983 + 1,125 you would add the thousands digits to get 6,000. This is a rough estimate that is less than the actual sum because smaller place value digits are ignored. 3) Compensation is another estimation method where one number is rounded up and the next is rounded down to get a more accurate estimate. Compatible numbers use easy to work with numbers like multiples of 10 to

Uploaded by

Fariha Hossain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Front-End Rounding

Estimation is a really important tool in our world today. You may need to know approximately how much
money you need at a store or about how long it will take to complete a task. When you estimate, you are
finding an approximate answer. It is an answer that is close to the exact answer.
One type of estimating is called front-end rounding. It is a way of estimating that uses the largest, or greatest,
digits to find an approximate answer.

To estimate sums by front-end rounding:


1. Add the front digits (the largest place value) and write zeros for the other digits.
2. Adjust your estimate by estimating the back digits (the numbers in the smaller place values) and adjusting
your answer.

Study the following example.


Example 1
Estimate the sum using front-end rounding.
3 271 + 850 + 2 983 + 1 125
Rough Estimate

3 271
850
2 983
+1 125
6 000

Rough estimate: 6 000


This estimate is found by adding the thousands only.

3 271 + 850 + 2 983 + 1 125 is about 8 000

The estimated sum is LESS THAN the actual sum would be. Why do you think this is true? Look
at the adjusted estimate:
271 + 850 + 983 + 125

The ones and tens places have all been left off in the front-end estimation.
Adding these numbers back would make the actual sum more than the
adjusted estimate.

Estimating differences using front-end rounding is similar, but there is no


adjusted estimate with the back digits.

To estimate differences using front-end rounding:


1. Subtract the front digits.
2. Write zeros for the other digits.

Example 2
Estimate the difference using front-end rounding.
9 354 – 3 691 9 354
-3 691
Subtract the front digits: 6

Write zeros for the other digits: The estimated difference is: 6 000.

Compensation
A second strategy that can be used for estimation is compensation. When we estimate then compensate,
the estimate is closer to the exact value. If we round one number down, we round the next number up. It
is usually performed mentally but you can also use pencil and paper to work it out.

Study the following example.

Example

To estimate differences using compensation rounding:


1. Round one number down
2. Round the next number up

Le
Compatible Numbers
The third estimating strategy is using compatible numbers to solve the problems. Compatible numbers are
pairs of numbers that are easy to work with.
For example, multiples of 10 are compatible numbers. To estimate, replace the actual numbers with numbers
that are compatible:

Example

Write: 11 090 + 10 651 as: 11 100 + 10 650 = 21 750

Compatible numbers may give an underestimate or an overestimate. It depends on the numbers you use .
s Practice

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