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Estimating Differences

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Estimating Differences

Estimate each difference using the rounding method stated. For written questions, show your working and explain your choice where asked.

Choose an estimate

Select the best answer for each question.

1.Estimate 672 − 248 by rounding both numbers to the nearest ten.

2.Estimate 8.7 − 3.26 by rounding each number to one decimal place.

5.4
5.44
5.5
4.4

3.Hamish cycled 586 metres before lunch and 341 metres afterwards. About how many more metres did she cycle before lunch? Round both amounts to the nearest ten.

235 metres
245 metres
250 metres
255 metres

4.A bicycle costs $748 and a helmet costs $139. Estimate the difference in price by rounding both prices to the nearest hundred.

$500
$600
$700
$800

Estimate and explain

Show your strategy. Estimates may differ if you use a different sensible method; make sure your method is clear.

5.Use front-end estimation to estimate 8,735 − 3,462. Write your estimate and explain how you used the leading digits.

6.Estimate 63.8 − 24.17 by rounding to the nearest whole number. Is an exact answer of 39.63 reasonable? Choose yes or no and give a brief reason.

7.Round both numbers to the nearest whole number, estimate each difference, then match each subtraction to its estimate.

A. 18.7 − 9.3
B. 76.4 − 29.6
C. 11.2 − 3.8
D. 54.8 − 8.1
E. 6.6 − 2.2

2. 10
3. 7
4. 47
5. 5
1. 46

8.Choose either rounding both numbers to the nearest hundred or front-end estimation to estimate 7,684 − 2,951. State your estimate and explain why your chosen strategy suits these numbers.

Use a number line to round

Use the number line to help round 468 to the nearest ten. Then estimate 468 − 213 by rounding both numbers to the nearest ten.

9.Using the number line above, round 468 to the nearest ten, then estimate 468 − 213 by rounding both numbers to the nearest ten.

10.Estimate 5,926 − 2,178 using front-end estimation to the nearest thousand. Then compare your estimate with the estimate from rounding both numbers to the nearest thousand.