Estimating by Front End Estimation

Front end estimation mostly produces a closer estimate of sums or differences than the answer produced by adding or subtracting rounded numbers.

How to estimate a sum by front end estimation:

  • Add the digits of the two highest place values
  • Insert zeros for the other place values


  • Example 1: 4496 + 3745 is estimated to be 8100 by front end estimation (i.e. 4400 + 3700).
  • Example 2: 4496 + 745 is estimated to be 5100 by front end estimation (i.e. 4400 + 700).






Estimate the sum by front end estimation.

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