Estimating Fractions

Rounding the nearest half Sometimes it is better to round a fraction to the nearest half in order to estimate an addition or subtraction problem… 1 ½

Rounding the nearest half 7 9 Let’s say you want to estimate the sum of the following fractions and mixed numbers… 5 Is closer to 5, 5 ½ , or 6? 6 It’s a little closer to 6. 7 9 1 7 3 5 5 + 3 + 8 = 7 9 5 5 6 5½ 9 9 5 4 ½ 9 5 5

Rounding the nearest half 1 7 3 Is closer to 3, 3 ½ , or 4? 6 3 It’s a little closer to 3. 7 9 1 7 3 5 5 + 3 + 8 = 1 7 3 3 4 3½ 7 7 3 3 ½ 7 3 3

Rounding the nearest half 3 5 8 Is closer to 8, 8 ½ , or 9? 17 ½ 6 3 + 8 ½ = + It’s a little closer to 8 ½ . 7 9 1 7 3 5 The estimated answer is 17 1/2 . 5 + 3 + 8 = 3 5 8 8 9 8½ 5 5 8 2 ½ 5 8 8

Round these fractions to the nearest half… 3 11 2 2 2½ 3 2 9 12 12 12½ 13 11 17 5 5 5½ 6 5 24 6 6 6½ 7