Without computing the exact decimal value, estimate the result of the expression (184.002 − 29 ÷ 5) × 29.997 and choose the nearest value from the options provided.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 5340

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is about estimating a product involving a subtraction and a decimal multiplier. Such problems are typical in quantitative aptitude sections to check whether you can handle approximate arithmetic without doing long exact calculations, which saves time in exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The expression is (184.002 − 29 ÷ 5) × 29.997.
  • We must find the nearest value among the options, not the exact result.
  • 29 ÷ 5 is a simple decimal, and 29.997 is very close to 30.


Concept / Approach:
First, simplify the inner subtraction by calculating 29 ÷ 5, then subtracting from 184.002. Next, approximate the result and multiply by 29.997, which is almost 30. Recognizing nearby round numbers helps us estimate the product quickly and then pick the closest option.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Compute 29 ÷ 5 exactly: 29 ÷ 5 = 5.8.Subtract from 184.002: 184.002 − 5.8 ≈ 178.202, which is near 178.2.Approximate the multiplier 29.997 as 30.Compute the approximate product: 178.2 × 30 ≈ 5346.The exact product is slightly less than this because we used 30 instead of 29.997, so the actual value will be a bit lower than 5346, making 5340 the closest among the options.


Verification / Alternative check:
A more precise computation gives (184.002 − 5.8) × 29.997 ≈ 178.202 × 29.997, which evaluates to about 5345.5. Comparing this to the options 5140, 5240, 5340, 5440, and 5540, the closest value is clearly 5340, which is less than one percent away from the more precise result.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • 5140 and 5240 are much smaller than the true product and correspond to using a significantly smaller effective multiplier or subtrahend.
  • 5440 and 5540 are larger than the approximate 5345 and would require a larger multiplier than 30 or a larger reduced base value.
  • Only 5340 is near the accurate estimated product.


Common Pitfalls:

  • Ignoring the subtraction 29 ÷ 5 and simply multiplying 184.002 by 30, which inflates the estimate.
  • Rounding errors when handling the decimals, especially if 29.997 is rounded too coarsely.
  • Not comparing the approximated result carefully with the options to choose the nearest one.


Final Answer:
5340

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