Estimation — SSAT Upper practice questions

Estimation on the SSAT Upper Quantitative section covers rounding a length to a given place, approximating a quotient with easier nearby numbers, and judging the best estimate of a mean from a short list of values. A student has to decide how far to round, compute mentally with compatible numbers, and pick a close figure instead of an exact result. The exam tends to present rounded to the nearest, about how many, or best estimate stems with nearby round numbers as choices. Common traps include rounding at the wrong place, computing exactly when an estimate is required, and choosing an answer that is too precise.

Section: Quantitative (Math) 50 questions on the paper
93 practice questions in the app

Sample questions

Question 1

A route is $64{,}508$ meters long. Rounded to the nearest thousand meters, what is the length of the route?

A $64{,}000$
B $64{,}500$
C $64{,}600$
D $65{,}000$
E $70{,}000$

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Answer: D — $65{,}000$

The hundreds digit is 5, so $64{,}508$ rounds up from $64{,}000$ to $65{,}000$ .

Question 2

At a factory, Maya uses a machine to divide $4{,}118$ parts equally among 82 batches. About how many parts are in one batch?

A50
B80
C500
D800
E $5{,}000$

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Answer: A — 50

Use the compatible numbers $4{,}100$ and 82. Since $82\times50=4{,}100$ , each batch has about 50 parts.

Question 3

Wind speeds over four intervals were 18, 21, 23, and 19 miles per hour.

Which of the following is the best estimate of the mean wind speed?

A18 miles per hour
B20 miles per hour
C23 miles per hour
D40 miles per hour
E80 miles per hour

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Answer: B — 20 miles per hour

The four speeds cluster near 20. Their total is about 80, and $80\div4=20$ miles per hour.

Practice 93 Estimation questions in the app

Estimation — SSAT Upper practice questions

Sample questions

More SSAT Upper topics

Quantitative (Math)