Question

Explain how you could use integers to estimate -28.3 x (-47.9)

A) Multiply -28 x -48
B) Multiply -28 x -47
C) Multiply -30 x -50
D) Multiply -20 x -50

Answer 1

To estimate the product of -28.3 x (-47.9), the closest integer multiplication is A) -28 x -48, which gives a product of 1344. This estimation maintains accuracy by using integers close to the actual numbers.

Step-by-step explanation:

To estimate the product of -28.3 x (-47.9) using integers, one should look for nearby whole numbers to simplify the calculation while keeping the estimation error small. The most accurate estimate among the given options would be:

• A) Multiply -28 x -48

This choice rounds each number to the nearest whole integer (-28 is closer to -28.3 than -30 or -20, and -48 is closer to -47.9 than -47 or -50). Following the rule of signs, the product of two negative integers is positive. Therefore, the estimate would result in a positive number.

1. Identify the numbers to be approximated: -28.3 and -47.9.
2. Choose the closest integers to maintain accuracy: -28 and -48.
3. Multiply the chosen integers: -28 * -48 = 1344.
4. This positive product is our estimated result.

Estimating with integers simplifies complex calculations and gives a close approximation to the actual result, allowing someone to quickly gauge the scale of the numbers involved.