Computational estimation is recognized as a basic mathematics skill. It is used more frequently in daily activities than exact computation, yet virtually nothing is known about the skills and thinking strategies used in computational estimation. Individuals demonstrating good computational estimation skills were selected from more than 1200 people tested. Structured individual interviews with 59 students (Grades 7-12) and adults were conducted. These data suggest the existence and use of several key processes (compensation, reformulation, and translation) interwoven with a variety of distinct estimation strategies (front-end and averaging). Several other specific characteristics of good estimators are also presented in a tentative framework.
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Reys et al. (1982) studied this question.
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