How to explain b. 3-digit estimation in estimation to your student: Example question
30 October 2026
Three-digit estimation helps children quickly round numbers to the nearest hundred. This skill is useful for making calculations simpler and checking answers in everyday maths.
Example question
Round 374 to the nearest hundred.
Step 1: Look at the tens digit. In 374, the tens digit is 7.
Step 2: If the tens digit is 5 or more, round the hundreds digit up by 1.
Step 3: 7 is more than 5, so add 1 to the hundreds digit. 3 + 1 = 4.
Step 4: Change the tens and ones digits to zero. So, 374 becomes 400.
The answer is 400.
After seeing this example, your child will recognise when to round a three-digit number up or down. They can now try similar questions to build confidence with 3-digit estimation.
