Max Maths, Year 3, Learn together, Sensible estimates of a number as a range

In Year 3 maths, students learn the valuable skill of making sensible estimates for the number of items in a group by using a range. Estimation is a practical technique that allows children to quickly gauge the quantity of objects without counting each one individually. For instance, when presented with a jar of jelly beans, rather than counting each bean, students can estimate how many there are by considering a range of numbers. This method involves looking at the group and using a unit of measure, like rows of ten, to approximate the total.

The process of estimating a range is demonstrated using jelly beans arranged in rows. If there are approximately ten jelly beans per row and five rows in total, students might estimate that there are around 50 jelly beans. However, to account for any potential inaccuracies in this estimation, they can broaden the estimate to a range, suggesting there might be between 40 and 60 jelly beans. This approach allows for a margin of error and acknowledges that while the estimate is close, the exact number may vary. For example, if the actual count of jelly beans is 48, this number falls comfortably within the estimated range, proving the estimate to be sensible and practical.