Lesson: Intermediate Problem Solving - 04t05

Estimating — Geometry

[Page 4 of 27]
On geometry questions we can estimate or 'eyeball' relative measurements and then eliminate answer choices that are too large or too small to be correct.

However, estimate only on diagrams that are drawn to scale. If a diagram states "Not Drawn To Scale", do not try to estimate.

Let's try estimating on an example question.

In square JKLM above, N is the midpoint of side LM. If JN = , what is the length of a side of the square?

 

This question asks us to find the length of the side of the square. How might knowing the length of JN help us find the length of a side? Make sure to use the diagram when considering your answer to this question. Click Continue when you're ready.

Let's approximate what the correct answer should be. Enter your answer in the Text Box provided and then click Continue.

The correct answer choice will therefore be close to, but smaller than , which we can approximate as slightly more than .

Now, for each answer choice below, decide if it should be eliminated or if it should be kept as a possible correct answer, based on how it compares to our approximation. Click Continue when you're done.
 
Eliminate
Keep
  
Choice (A):
About the right size. Keep.
Choice (B):
Just under 14. Too small.
Choice (C):
About 9. Too small.
Choice (D):
Too small.
Choice (E):
Between 4 and 6. Too small.

By eyeballing the diagram and approximating the answer choices, we were able to determine the correct answer. If we hadn't used this approach, we would have had to take a more traditional problem-solving tack.
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