Estimate quotients: word problems

key notes:

🔢 What is a Quotient?

• A quotient is the result of division.
• Example: 12 ÷ 3 = 4 → 4 is the quotient.

🎯 What is Estimation?

• Estimation means finding an approximate answer, not the exact one.
• Helps to check answers quickly.

🧮 Steps to Estimate Quotients in Word Problems

Step 1: Read the problem carefully 📖

• Understand what is being divided and by what.

Step 2: Round the numbers 🔄

• Round the dividend (the number being divided) and divisor (the number you divide by) to friendly numbers.
• Friendly numbers: 10, 20, 50, 100…

Step 3: Divide the rounded numbers ➗

• This gives you an estimated quotient.

Step 4: Check if the estimate makes sense ✅

• Ask: “Is my answer too big or too small?”

💡 Tips for Word Problems

• Look for keywords: “shared equally”, “per”, “each”, “divided among”.
• Use rounding to make division easier.
• Always compare your estimate with the numbers in the problem.

🌟 Example Problem

• “There are 98 candies 🍬 and 6 kids 👦👧. How many candies does each get?”
  Step 1: Round 98 → 100, 6 → 5
  Step 2: 100 ÷ 5 = 20
  ✅ Estimated quotient = 20 candies per child

📝 Remember:

• Estimation is not exact.
• It helps to quickly check answers or make reasonable guesses.
• Always think about whether your answer is reasonable in the context of the problem.

Learn with an example

Let’s practice!