What Does It Mean to Estimate?
Estimating helps us get close to the right answer without doing all the
exact math!
When we estimate sums and differences of mixed numbers, we round the numbers to make them easier to work
with. This is super helpful when you need a quick answer or want to check if your exact calculation
makes sense.
How to Estimate Mixed Numbers
1 Round each mixed number to the nearest whole number
2 Add or subtract the rounded numbers
3 Compare your estimate to the exact answer
Let's Practice Together!
Example 1: Estimate the Sum
Estimate: \(3\frac{4}{5} + 2\frac{1}{3}\)
Round \(3\frac{4}{5}\) to the nearest whole number:
Round \(2\frac{1}{3}\) to the nearest whole number:
Example 2: Estimate the Difference
Estimate: \(5\frac{7}{8} - 2\frac{2}{5}\)
Round \(5\frac{7}{8}\) to the nearest whole number:
Round \(2\frac{2}{5}\) to the nearest whole number:
Parent Tips 🌟
- Cooking fractions: When cooking together, ask your child to estimate measurements like "About how much is 1¾ cups plus ½ cup?"
- Estimation games: Play "Estimation Challenge" where you give two mixed numbers and race to see who can estimate the sum/difference fastest.
- Real-world practice: Point out mixed numbers in recipes, construction measurements, or sports statistics and practice estimating with them.