Question

Explain how you can use estimation and mental math to calculate a 20% tip.

Answer 1

Answer:

Say that you have a bill for x dollars.  then a 20% tip is .2x

.2x is the same as 2 * (.1x)

If you recall, however, dividing by 10 simply involves moving the decimal place one position to the left (if you owe $31.74 for a bill, 10% is 3.17, then multiply by 2 to get $6.34 as approximately 20%), then double it.

This will get you the correct approximation of the tip up to about a cent, and it tends to be relatively easy to divide by 10 (move a decimal) and to double something in your head.  Then you just add that onto the bill.