Estimation

Definition

Estimation is the process of approximating or determining a value, quantity, or outcome without the need for precise measurement or calculation. It involves making an informed judgment or educated guess based on available information and past experiences.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Estimation is a valuable problem-solving strategy that allows you to quickly evaluate the reasonableness of a solution or make informed decisions when precise calculations are not necessary.
2. Estimating involves making reasonable assumptions, using known information, and applying logical reasoning to arrive at an approximate answer.
3. Effective estimation skills can help you save time, simplify complex problems, and identify potential errors or outliers in your work.
4. Estimating is particularly useful when working with large numbers, complex calculations, or situations where exact precision is not required.
5. Developing the ability to estimate effectively requires practice, critical thinking, and the ability to make reasonable judgments based on the context of the problem.

Review Questions

• Explain how estimation can be used as a problem-solving strategy in the context of 2.2 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.
  • Estimation is a valuable problem-solving strategy in the context of 2.2 Use a Problem Solving Strategy. When faced with a complex problem, estimating can help you quickly evaluate the reasonableness of a solution and make informed decisions without the need for precise calculations. By making reasonable assumptions, using known information, and applying logical reasoning, you can arrive at an approximate answer that can guide your problem-solving process. Effective estimation skills can save you time, simplify complex problems, and help you identify potential errors or outliers in your work.
• Describe how the related concepts of rounding, order of magnitude, and approximation can support the use of estimation in problem-solving.
  • The related concepts of rounding, order of magnitude, and approximation can support the use of estimation in problem-solving. Rounding allows you to simplify numbers and work with more manageable values, while order of magnitude provides a rough indication of the scale or size of a quantity. Approximation, on the other hand, enables you to work with values that are close to the true or exact value, but not necessarily precise. By understanding and applying these related concepts, you can more effectively estimate quantities, evaluate the reasonableness of solutions, and make informed decisions when solving complex problems.
• Analyze how developing the ability to estimate effectively can enhance your problem-solving skills in the context of 2.2 Use a Problem Solving Strategy.
  • Developing the ability to estimate effectively can significantly enhance your problem-solving skills in the context of 2.2 Use a Problem Solving Strategy. Estimation allows you to quickly evaluate the reasonableness of a solution, make informed decisions, and simplify complex problems without the need for precise calculations. By practicing estimation and developing the critical thinking skills to make reasonable judgments based on the context of the problem, you can save time, identify potential errors or outliers, and approach problem-solving with greater confidence and efficiency. The skills acquired through effective estimation can be applied across a wide range of mathematical and real-world problems, making it a valuable tool in your problem-solving toolkit.

Related terms

Rounding: The process of approximating a number to a specified place value, such as the nearest whole number or nearest tenth.

Order of Magnitude: A rough indication of the size or scale of a quantity, often expressed as a power of 10.

Approximation: A value or quantity that is close to the true or exact value, but not necessarily precise.