GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

3.2 Estimating powers and roots — Practise with help

Warm-up: remember

  1. Work out 828^2.
  2. Work out 81\sqrt{81}.
Answers and feedback
  1. 6464, because 8×8=648\times8=64.
  2. 99, because 92=819^2=81.

Practise with help

1. Estimate 45\sqrt{45} to the nearest whole number.

Hint

Find the two consecutive square numbers around 45.

One step

62=366^2=36 and 72=497^2=49. The midpoint is 42.542.5.

Full working

4545 is between 3636 and 4949, and is above their midpoint, 42.542.5. Therefore 45\sqrt{45} rounds to 77.

2. Estimate 3003\sqrt[3]{300} to the nearest whole number.

Hint

Compare 300 with 636^3 and 737^3.

One step

63=2166^3=216 and 73=3437^3=343. The midpoint is 279.5279.5.

Full working

300300 is above the midpoint of 216216 and 343343. Therefore 3003\sqrt[3]{300} rounds to 77.

3. Estimate 31231^2 by rounding 31 to the nearest ten.

Hint

Round 31 first, then square the rounded number.

One step

31≈3031\approx30.

Full working

312≈302=90031^2\approx30^2=900.

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