Question

Round each number to the nearest tenth. What is the best estimate for the answer to 471.41 – 397.46? A. 70 B. 73.9 C. 74 D. 74.9

Answer 1

First you need to subtract 471.41 and 397.46.

471.41 - 397.46= 73.95

The tenths place is the number after the decimal. In number 73.95, the number in the tenths place would be 9. The answer would be C) 74.


(Let me know if you don't understand. I'll try to explain it in more detail.) 

Answer 2

Answer choice: [B] or [C]; could be considered correct; depending on the perspective (explained below).  
      Personally, I would go with: Answer choice: [C]: "74" ;  because:
       
         1)  It's an easier number to "work with" than "Answer choice: [B]:                        "73.9" ;  and:
         2)  The question asks to "estimate the answer".
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One interpretation would be:
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Consider the math problem given:
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   "  471.41 – 397.46  = ? " ; 
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And round each of THESE values to the nearest TENTH:
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      471.4 – 397.5 = 73.9 ;  this answer:  "73.9" ; is already rounded to the nearest "tenth"; and does correspond with answer choice: [B].
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Yet, answer interpretation of this math problem, would be:
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     Given:  "471.41 – 397.46 = ??  " ;  
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Solve this problem as it is; and round the actual answer obtained to the nearest "tenth":
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Doing so, we get:
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            "471.41 – 397.46 = 73.95 ."   This value, rounded to the nearest "tenth", would be: "74.0" (which is not an answer choice, technically speaking); or "74" (because, in "mathematics", "74.0 = 74"; and we are asked in the problem to "estimate for the answer",  so the answer would be:
   Answer choice:  [C]:  74 .
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 So, answer choice: [B] or [C]; could be considered correct; depending on the perspective.  Personally, I would go with: Answer choice: [C]: "74";  because:
         1)  It's an easier number to "work with" than "Answer choice: [B]: 73.9" ;
and:  2)  The question asks to "estimate the answer".
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