Mental maths · lesson 15 of 28 · free

Rounding off and best estimate — Mental Maths Mastery

Often you do not need the exact answer — you need to know roughly how big it is. Round each number, do the easy sum, and pick the closest choice. This also catches mistakes in written answers.

How to do it in your head

Round, then work — “round to tens or hundreds and do the easy sum”

  1. Round each number: 2-digit numbers to the nearest ten, 3-digit numbers to the nearest hundred.
  2. Do the easy sum with the round numbers.
  3. Choose the option closest to your estimate.

Use it for: Checking a bill, guessing how many fit, and spotting a wrong answer in your homework.

Worked example: Best estimate of 48 × 31? → 1500

  1. 48 is about 50 and 31 is about 30.
  2. 50 × 30 = 1500.

Check: 48 × 31 = 1488, which is very close to 1500 ✓

✏️ Practice

Work it out in your head or on paper, type the answer and press Check. Stuck? Press “Show me how”.

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🏁 Lesson 15 test

20 questions. Check each answer, then go to the next one. Get 16 or more right to pass.

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🖨️ Rounding Off and Estimation Worksheet

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