Learn what estimate means in maths. Simple examples that teach rounding, reasoning, and quick calculations for everyday use.
In maths, an estimate is a close guess or approximate value.
It’s not the exact answer, but a number that’s close enough to help us understand or solve a problem quickly.
✍🏽 For example:
If you have 48 apples, you can estimate you have about 50 apples.
Estimation helps us:
Solve problems faster
Check if an answer makes sense
Handle big numbers easily
Develop mental math skills
It’s especially useful when we don’t need the exact number — just a quick idea.
We usually estimate by rounding numbers.
✍🏽 Example: 67 → 70
You round 67 up to the nearest ten.
✍🏽 Example: 428 → 400
Because 28 is less than 50, you round down.
✍🏽 Example:
49 + 52 → Estimate as 50 + 50 = 100
This makes mental calculation quick and fun.
Estimation is part of everyday life:
Shopping: estimating total cost
Cooking: measuring ingredients
Travel: estimating time or distance
It teaches children how to think logically and plan ahead.
Here’s a simple rhyme to remember:
“Round it high, round it low,
estimate fast, and you’ll always know!”
Learning estimation through games and rhymes makes it easier and more fun for kids.
Estimation is a smart way to solve problems quickly.
It builds confidence, saves time, and helps kids understand how numbers work in real life.