Question

Which estimation technique will yield a solution that is farthest from the actual product of (–14.89)(1.35)?
front-end estimation
rounding to the nearest tenth
rounding to the nearest whole number
compatible numbers

Answer 1

Front-end estimation.

Work shown:
- Actual: (–14.89)(1.35) = –20.1015

Estimates:
- Front-end: (–14)(1) = –14 → error = |–14 – (–20.1015)| = 6.1015
- Nearest tenth: (–14.9)(1.4) = –20.86 → error = 0.7585
- Nearest whole: (–15)(1) = –15 → error = 5.1015
- Compatible (use –15 and 1.35): (–15)(1.35) = –20.25 → error = 0.1485

Front-end estimation gives the largest error, so it yields the solution farthest from the actual product.