Estimate Decimal Sums and
Differences Using Front-End
Estimation
Jen Kershaw
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Printed: November 5, 2014
AUTHOR
Jen Kershaw
www.ck12.org
C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Estimate Decimal Sums and Differences Using Front-End Estimation
1
Estimate Decimal Sums and
Differences Using Front-End
Estimation
Here you’ll learn to estimate decimal sums and differences using front-end estimation.
Have you ever tried to figure out a restaurant bill? Take a look at this situation.
Carmen and her friend went out for lunch. When they received the bill, they saw the following figures written down.
1.09, 1.09, 6.26, 7.35, 3.50, 4.25
Carmen wants to add this up quickly in her head so that she can estimate the bill.
Do you know how she can do this? In this Concept, you will learn how to use front-end estimation in situations just
like this one.
Guidance
Did you know that you can estimate decimal sums and differences using front-end estimation? Let’s take a look at
front-end estimation. What is it?
Front-end estimation is a particular way of rounding numbers to estimate sums and differences. To use frontend estimation , add or subtract only the numbers in the greatest place value.
Take a look at this estimation problem.
Estimate the sum using front-end estimation: 4.8 + 3.2 + 7.2
Add the digits in the ones places: 4 + 3 + 7 = 14. So 14 is a good estimate. Remember that our answer is just an
estimate. It is not an exact answer.
Here is a problem using subtraction. We can use front-end estimation for this one too.
Estimate the difference using front-end estimation: 9.52 − 3.39
Subtract the digits in the ones places: 9 − 3 = 6. So 6 is a good estimate. This is our answer.
Use front-end estimation to find each sum or difference.
Example A
3.4 + 6.1 + 4.5
Solution: 3 + 6 + 4 = 13
Example B
8.2 − 4.5
Solution: 8 − 4 = 4
Example C
4.53 + 6.32 + 7.02 + 3.45
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Solution: 4 + 6 + 7 + 3 = 20
Now let’s go back to the dilemma from the beginning of the Concept.
Here is the list of costs that was on Carmen’s bill.
1.09, 1.09, 6.26, 7.35, 3.50, 4.25
We use front-end estimation by taking the first value from each price. Then we add.
1 + 1 + 6 + 7 + 3 + 4 = 22
The estimated cost of lunch is $22.00.
Vocabulary
Decimal
a part of a whole. The numbers to the left of the decimal point represent whole quantities. The numbers to the
right of the decimal point represent parts.
Estimate
to find an approximate answer that is reasonable or makes sense given the problem.
Front-End Estimation
a method of estimating where you only add the digits in the greatest place value.
Guided Practice
Here is one for you to try on your own.
Estimate the following sum.
4.01 + 6.27 + 18.12 + 11.30
Solution
To complete this task using front-end estimation, we take the leading value from each number.
4 + 6 + 18 + 11
Now we add these values.
39
Our estimate is 39.
Video Review
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/65514
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Chapter 1. Estimate Decimal Sums and Differences Using Front-End Estimation
Explore More
Directions: Find each estimate by using front-end estimation.
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14.
15.
45.67 + 3.04 =
55.10 + 5.6 =
88.99 − 2.10 =
80.09 − 12.78 =
34.75 − 3.05 =
5.67 + 3.87 =
235.56 − 120.45 =
17.8 + 12.3 + 5.3 =
33.1 + 11.4 + 2.8 =
18.11 + 25.4 + 2.1 =
34.1 − 10.123 =
301.1 − 10.2345 =
12.234 + 15.1004 =
2.00987 + 5.0123 + 8.118 =
3.0045 − 1.0008 =
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