Question

Last year, there were 221,138,240 tons of trash collected in the United States. What is the best estimate for the number of tons of trash collected in the United States last year?

A. 200,000,000
B. 220,000,000
C. 221,000,000
D. 221,138,240

Answer 1

The best estimate for the number of tons of trash collected in the United States last year, based on the figure of 221,138,240 tons, is 221,000,000 tons. Option C is the correct estimate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student has asked for the best estimate for the number of tons of trash collected in the United States last year, which was 221,138,240 tons. When estimating to the nearest million, we typically look to the hundred thousand's place to see if we should round up or stay the same. Since the hundred thousand's place in 221,138,240 is a '1', it tells us that we do not need to round up to 222 million, thus the best estimate is 221 million tons.

The closest estimate to the actual amount without going over is 221,000,000; therefore, option C (221,000,000) is the best estimate.