Estimate quotients: word problems

key notes:

💡A compatible number is a nearby number that is easy to divide.

💣 Estimating quotients:
Estimating quotients can help you check your work and solve harder division problems. An estimate is close to the actual answer.

How can you estimate a quotient?

Use compatible numbers! Compatible numbers are pairs of numbers you can add, subtract, multiply, or divide easily in your head.

Let’s estimate the quotient of 461 ÷ 9.

Round 461 to the closest number that is a multiple of 9. Some basic multiples of 9 are 36, 45, and 54.

461 is close to 450.

The numbers 450 and 9 are compatible numbers because you can divide with no remainder.

450 ÷ 9 = 50

So, 461 ÷ 9 is about 50.

Learn with an example

🔥 A group of 71 travelers needs to take taxi cabs across the city. If each taxi cab holds 5 people,

how many cabs will the group need?

Choose the better estimate.

  • 18
  • 14

Divide the number of travelers by the number in each taxi cab.

71 ÷ 5 = ?

Use a compatible number to estimate the quotient.

71 Ã· 5 = ?
70 Ã· 5 = 14

14 taxi cabs is the better estimate.

🔥 A group of 94 golfers wants to rent golf carts. If each cart can hold 6 golfers,

how many carts will the group need?

Choose the better estimate.

  • 16
  • 19

Divide the number of golfers by the number in each cart.

94 ÷ 6 = ?

Use a compatible number to estimate the quotient.

94 Ã· 6 = ?
96 Ã· 6 = 16

16 carts is the better estimate.

🔥The town picnic committee has â‚¹959 to buy watermelons. If each watermelon costs â‚¹8,

how many watermelons can the committee buy?

Choose the better estimate.

  • 120
  • 170

Divide the amount of money by the cost of each watermelon.

959 ÷ 8 = ?

Use a compatible number to estimate the quotient.

959 ÷ 8 = ?

960 ÷ 8 = 120

120 watermelons is the better estimate.

Let’s practice!