GCSE Mathematics (9-1)

3.2 Estimating powers and roots — Practise

Work independently. Questions and answers are shown together at the end.

  1. Estimate sqrt50\\sqrt{50} to the nearest whole number. Give a reason.
  2. Estimate sqrt[3]90\\sqrt[3]{90} to the nearest whole number.
  3. Estimate 48248^2 by rounding 48 to the nearest ten.
  4. Estimate 19319^3 by rounding 19 to one significant figure.
  5. Between which two consecutive whole numbers does sqrt120\\sqrt{120} lie?
  6. Is sqrt30\\sqrt{30} closer to 5 or 6? Give a reason.
  7. H Estimate 98398^3 by rounding to the nearest ten.
  8. H Between which consecutive whole numbers does sqrt[3]500\\sqrt[3]{500} lie?
Answers and concise solutions

1. Estimate a square root

Answer: About 77, since 72=497^2=49 and 82=648^2=64.

2. Estimate a cube root

Answer: About 44, since 43=644^3=64 and 53=1255^3=125.

3. Estimate a square

Answer: 482approx502=250048^2\\approx50^2=2500.

4. Estimate a cube

Answer: 193approx203=800019^3\\approx20^3=8000.

5. Bracket a square root

Answer: Between 1010 and 1111, since 102<120<11210^2<120<11^2.

6. Compare distances from squares

Answer: Closer to 55: sqrt30−5<6−sqrt30\\sqrt{30}-5<6-\\sqrt{30} because sqrt30<5.5\\sqrt{30}<5.5. Equivalently, 30<30.2530<30.25.

7. Estimate a large cube

Answer: 983approx1003=1,000,00098^3\\approx100^3=1\\,000\\,000.

8. Bracket a cube root

Answer: Between 77 and 88, since 73<500<837^3<500<8^3.

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