Strategies for Estimating Sums and Differences

Estimation is meant to give a close or approximate answer. Estimation is meant to be a mental

skill. Therefore, you change the numbers you are working with to numbers that are close and
easy to work with. There is not a “right way” for estimating. Decisions should be made based
on the numbers you are working with and the degree of precision that is needed.

Rounding
To use a rounding strategy for estimating, round each of the numbers. Sometimes the
rounding place may be indicated, other times you may need to decide on a reasonable place
value for rounding. Usually all numbers are rounded to the same place value. Rounding works
well for addition or subtraction.

Compatible Numbers
Compatible numbers are numbers that are close to the given numbers that are easy to work
with mentally. Number pairs that are easy to add or subtract are compatible. When estimating a
sum, replace actual numbers with compatible numbers (e.g., 52 + 74 can be estimated by
using the compatible numbers 50 + 75). When estimating a difference, use numbers that are
close to the original numbers. Tens and hundreds are easy to subtract (e.g., 83 – 38 is close to
80 – 40). Using compatible numbers works well for addition and subtraction.

Front-End
The front-end strategy for estimating is computing with the front digits. Front-end
estimation for addition can be used even when the addends have a different number of digits.
The procedure requires the addition of the values of the digits in the
greatest place value of the smallest number. For example:
2367 → 2300 2367 → 2000 + 300
243 → 200 OR 200
+ 1186 → + 1100 + 1000 + 100
3600 3000 + 600 = 3600
Front-end or leading-digit estimation always gives a sum less than the actual sum; however, the
estimate can be adjusted or refined so that it is closer to the actual sum by considering the
digits in the next greatest place value.

Ex. 48,529 + 35,318 Think: 40,000 + 30,000 is 70,000. If I look at the thousandths
place, I see that I have enough to make another group of ten-thousand, so 80,000 is a
better estimate.

Front-End Estimation is often easier for many students to do mentally because it doesn’t require
changing any of the numbers and holding them in your memory. Front-End works best for
addition. It is harder for many students to adjust or refine a front-end estimate when
subtracting.