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Math · Stage 6

Estimate answers to multi-step problems by rounding

You don't always need the exact answer — you need a fast, close one. Round every number first, do the easy calculation, and the estimate guards every exact answer you work out.

✦ Math📘 Stage 6 · S6⏱ ~12 min🧒 Ages 10–12★ Free to start
I can estimate answers to multi-step problems by rounding each number first, then calculating with the easy numbers.
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Kavi the owl for Math
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Kavi Checks the Bill 🧾

The stall-keeper hands Kavi a bill: 398 + 203 − 97 coins. Before working it out exactly, Kavi rounds every number: "400 + 200 − 100 is about 500," he hoots. Now Kavi knows any exact answer near 500 is sensible — and that a wild answer like 5,000 must be a slip. An estimate is a quick, close answer you get by rounding first.

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What your child will learn

1Exact answer vs estimateAn estimate is a quick, close answer you get by rounding each number first. It is not exact — and that is the point. Tap each card to see why an estimate is worth having.
2Round each number → then calculateRound every number to its biggest place value — the nearest 10, 100 or 1000 — whatever makes the numbers easy. Then do the simple calculation. Tap a row to hear the estimate.
3To estimate a product, round each factorThe same move works for multiplying: round each factor to one easy digit, then multiply. Tap a row.
4Use the estimate to judge the exact answerAfter you work out an exact answer, compare it with your estimate. If they are miles apart, you slipped somewhere. Tap a row.
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A peek inside

Estimate 398 + 203 by rounding each number to the nearest hundred.
398 rounds to 400, 203 rounds to 200. Now the easy sum: 400 + 200 = 600.

Try this at home: Round each to the nearest 100, then add: 398 + 203 ≈ __ · 512 + 289 ≈ __

Ready to play and learn?

Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.

Start the free lesson →⬇ Download PDF

Part of Math · Stage 6 · S6 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.