​What does estimate mean?

​Estimate- to roughly calculate a number or value.

​

​An estimation is not exact. When you estimate, you use the knowledge and information you have to make an educated guess about a number.

​

​Estimating is usually a quicker way to get an answer than calculating.

​When is it okay to estimate?

​It is okay to estimate when a problem uses words such as roughly, approximately, or about.

​

Example:

​Approximately how many gumballs are in the jar?

​

​Instead of counting each gumball, you would

estimate how many gumballs are in the jar by

​looking and thinking about what would be a

​reasonable answer.

​

​There are about 70 gumballs in the jar.

​When we estimate decimals, we must remember what we've learned about rounding decimals.

​

​When you're estimating a sum or difference:

• ​Round the numbers first

• ​Then add or subtract

Estimate the sum.

​You can also use compatible numbers to estimate.