Use estimation to check answers to calculations 6 - Reasoning

Tia, a dinosaur enthusiast, has amassed a collection that includes 3,489 pictures, 483 stuffed toys, and 277 figurines. She estimates that her collection totals around 5,000 dinosaur-related items. However, upon closer inspection, this estimation appears to be somewhat off the mark. To verify the accuracy of her estimate, a quick estimation technique can be employed. By rounding the numbers to the nearest hundred, 3,489 is approximately 3,500, 483 rounds up to 500, and 277 is close to 300. Adding these rounded figures together—3,500 + 500 + 300—gives a more precise estimate of 4,300 items. Even rounding down to the nearest thousand, the sum would be closer to 4,000, which is still a more accurate estimate than Tia's initial guess of 5,000.

The process of estimation is a valuable skill, especially for checking the plausibility of answers to calculations. In Tia's case, her original estimate was not accurate. By using estimation, it becomes clear that the sum of her dinosaur collection is nearer to 4,300, or at least significantly less than 5,000. This method of rounding each number to the nearest hundred simplifies the calculation and provides a quick way to gauge whether an initial estimate is in the right ballpark. In summary, Tia's collection is substantial, but her estimation of 5,000 items is overestimated when compared to a more accurate estimation method.