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A preliminary model of the estimation process was proposed for problems involving numerosity and extent. The model distinguished two basic strategies: benchmark estimation and decomposition/recomposition estimation. Children in Grades 2 through 8 (n=140) and adults (nn=10) solved a series of estimation problems. Accuracy and reasonableness of solution were examined. Age-related differences were found, and analyses indicated only a loose relationship between accurate estimates and appropriate solution strategies. In light of these data, a revised model is presented and different dimensions of estimation problems indicated by the model are discussed.
Siegel et al. (1982) studied this question.