Estimate Sums and Differences

Are your students working on refining their estimation skills? Maybe you have moved on from estimating whole numbers to working with estimating decimals. Teach Starter has developed an estimation resource you can use with your students in your classroom! This resource aims to practice estimating sums and differences between decimal amounts.

The worksheet is broken into 5 sections. Students can complete one section at a time, get it checked by the teacher before moving on, and color in their progress bar as they complete each portion. The sections include addition, subtraction, error analysis, fill-in-the-blank sentences, and word problems.

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!  

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

If students need a challenge, ask them to write a multi-step equation including decimals that have an estimated solution of every number between 1 and 100! For example, 0.7 + 0.9 – 0.75 has an estimated total of 1.

For students who may need additional support, they can complete this activity in a one-on-one setting or with a small group. Provide completed examples, notes, and a calculator as needed.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete. 

To save paper, we suggest printing this 2-page worksheet double-sided. 

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them. 

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

This resource was created by Lorin Davies, a teacher in Texas and Teach Starter Collaborator.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities to shorten your lesson planning time:  

teaching resource

Estimating Decimal Sums and Differences – Math Mazes

Practice estimating solutions to decimal addition and subtraction equations with this set of math mazes.

teaching resource

Daily Decimals – Worksheet

Model decimals in various ways and use estimation skills to complete decimal calculations.

teaching resource

5th Grade Decimal Operations Assessment

Assess student understanding of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing decimals with this math assessment.