ESTIMATION WORD PROBLEMS

Here, we are going to see some word problems based on the concept of estimation.

What is estimation in math ?

Estimation is finding a number that is close enough to the right answer.

We are not trying to get the exact right answer

What we want is something that is good enough 

Let us consider the following example

Round 245 to the nearest ten.

Answer is 250. Here the number in the tens digit is 4, in order to round this number, we have to look at the number in ones digit. Since it is greater than or equal to 5, we shall add 1 in the tens digits and say the answer as 250.

Solved Problems

Problem 1 :

Tom and Jason both collect marbles. Tom has collected 233 and Jason has collected 842 marbles. How many marbles do they own together ? Choose the better estimate (Round your answer to the nearest tens)

Solution :

Number of marbles collected by Tom is 233.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 230 marbles.

Number of marbles collected by Jason is 842.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 840 marbles.

Total number of marbles collected by Tom and Jason is

  =  230 + 840

=  1070

So, 1070 is the better estimation. 

Problem 2 :

There were 759 scissors in the drawer. Benny placed 668 more scissors in the drawer. How many scissors are now in the drawer ? Choose the better estimate (Round your answer to the nearest tens)

Solution :

759 scissors were already in the drawer.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 760 scissors.

Number of scissors placed by Benny is 668.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 670 scissors. 

Total number of scissors in the drawer is


  =  760 + 670

  =  1430

So, 1430 is the better estimation.

Problem 3 :

There are 463 maple trees currently in the park. Park workers will plant 332 more maple trees today. How many maple trees will be in the park when the workers are finished ? Choose the better estimate (Round your answer to the nearest tens)

Solution :

Number of maple trees in the park at present is 463.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 460 tress.

Number of trees will be planted is 332.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 330 trees.

Total number of tress will be in the park : 

  =  460 + 330 

  =  790

So, the better approximation is 790 maple trees.

Problem 4 :

Fred went hiking along the Appalachian Trail. He hiked 318 miles the first week, and 481 miles the second week. How many miles did Fred hike ? Choose the better estimate (Round your answer to the nearest tens)

Solution :

Number of miles Fred hiked in the first week is 318 miles.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 320 miles. 

Number of miles Fred hiked in the second week is 481. 

Rounding to the nearest tens, 480 miles. 


Total number of miles did Fred hiked in both weeks is 

=  320 + 480

=  800

So, the better approximation is 800 miles.

Problem 5 :

Sally and Jessica decided to bake cookies for a family picnic. Sally baked 685 raisin cookies and Jessica baked 614 sugar cookies. How many cookies did they bake ? Choose the better estimate (Round your answer to the nearest tens)

Solution :

Number of cookies baked by Sally is 685.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 690 cookies.

Number of cookies baked by Jessica is 614.

Rounding to the nearest tens, 610 cookies.

Total number of cookies baked by both Sally and Jessica is 

=  690 + 610

=  1300

So, the better approximation is 1300 cookies.

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