Work out the missing values in the following estimation:
$48 \times 526 \approx \ldots \times$
Answer (1)
Round 48 to the nearest ten: 48 ≈ 50 .
Round 526 to the nearest hundred: 526 ≈ 500 .
Multiply the rounded values: 50 × 500 = 25000 .
The missing value in the estimation is approximately 25000 .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are asked to estimate the product of 48 and 526. To do this, we will round each number to a convenient value and then multiply the rounded values.
Rounding 48 First, let's round 48 to the nearest ten. Since 8 is greater than or equal to 5, we round up to 50. So, 48 ≈ 50 .
Rounding 526 Next, let's round 526 to the nearest hundred. Since 26 is less than 50, we round down to 500. So, 526 ≈ 500 .
Multiplying Rounded Values Now, we multiply the rounded values: 50 × 500 = 25000 .
Final Answer Therefore, the missing value in the estimation is approximately 25000.
Examples
Estimating calculations is useful in everyday situations, such as when you want to quickly calculate the approximate cost of multiple items at a store. For example, if you are buying 48 items that cost $526 each, you can estimate the total cost by rounding 48 to 50 and 526 to 500, then multiplying 50 and 500 to get an estimated total cost of $25,000. This allows you to quickly check if you have enough money or if the price seems reasonable.
