Intermediate Test Prep (Grades5-6) Estimation

Estimation
makes larger numbers easier to work with.

Simple Steps to Estimating

Find whatever place value you are looking to estimate to
and
look at the digit to the right.
If the digit to the right is "5 or higher"
the place value INCREASES by 1.
If the digit to the right IS NOT "5 or higher"
the place value STAYS as it is.
All the rest of the numbers to the right of the place value become ZEROS.

Example 1:

Estimate 1,754
to the nearest
thousand

1,754 >>> 1 is in the thousands place.

Look to the right of the 1
and notice that there is a 7.

7 is "5 or higher",
so the 1 increases by 1
and becomes a 2.

All the other numbers to the right
of the 2 now become Zeros.

Meaning:
1,754 rounds UP to 2,000

Example 2:

Estimate 32,795
to the nearest
ten-thousand

32,795 >>> 3 is in the ten-thousands place.

Look to the right of the 3
and notice that there is a 2.

2 is NOT "5 or higher",
so the 3 STAYS as it is.

All the other numbers to the right
of the 3 now become Zeros.

Meaning:
32,795 rounds DOWN to 30,000

Example 3:

Estimate 657,928
to the nearest
hundred-thousand

657,928 >>> 6 is in the hundred-thousands place.

Look to the right of the 6
and notice that there is a 5.

5 is a "5 ",
so the 6 increases by 1
and becomes a 7.

All the other numbers to the right
of the 7 now become Zeros.

Meaning:
657,928 rounds UP to 700,000

Upon further review:

Remember:

~ If the number to the right
of the place value you're looking to estimate
is "5 or higher",
increase the place value number by 1.

~ If the number to the right
of the place value you're looking to estimate
is NOT "5 or higher",
the place value number STAYS
as it is.