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Estimating and rounding to tens and hundreds

Round numbers to the nearest ten or hundred and estimate sums and differences without an exact calculation.

📖 Start here: read the steps of the “Lesson” in order (1, 2, 3 …) and answer each question. Then continue with “Practice”.

Guide

Sometimes we do not need the exact number. We say "about 300 pupils". This is an estimate.

One way: drop the ones digit and write 0 in its place. 731 becomes 730. To round to hundreds, drop the tens and ones and write zeros: 124 becomes 100.

Another way: look at the number on the line and say which ten or hundred it is nearest to. 47 is closer to 50 than to 40.

To estimate a sum, simplify each number first, then add the easy numbers. Use the way the question asks for.