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Estimation

An estimate is an approximate count or measure, or a rough calculation. Estimations are often used in rural enterprises and with practice can be quite accurate. There are a number of practical reasons for using estimations rather than exact counts, measurements and calculations. These include:

1. The required measuring device may not be on hand or practical to use in a particular situation. Examples of estimations that can be used in these circumstances include:
   • The distance across a paddock and its area can be estimated by pacing. That is, by walking across the paddock taking steps of approximately one metre, the length of the paddock can be estimated.
   • Livestock weights can be estimated by assessing each animal visually. Fleece weights must be taken into account when determining the liveweight of sheep.
   • The quantity of fuel remaining in a drum or tank can be estimated with a clean dipstick. The dipstick is carefully put through the opening to stand on the base of the container. The volume of fuel is estimated from the fraction of the dipstick that is wet when withdrawn from the tank.
     
     
2. It may not be practical to count objects individually. For example:
   • The number of bales of hay in a shed or on a truck can be estimated by counting and multiplying those visible along the length and breadth of one deck of the stack. This result is then multiplied by the number of decks in the stack.
   • The number of tree seedlings set out in the standing-out area of a nursery can be estimated rather than counted individually. A count of one row multiplied by the number of rows will give a fairly accurate estimate.
   • The number of sheep in a set of yards can be estimated by counting one pen and gauging how full the rest of the pens are.
     
     
3. Estimations are used to check the accuracy of calculations. This is particularly important to ensure that the magnitude of the answer is correct. That is, the decimal point is in the correct place or the number of zeros is correct. For example:
   • A worker might be asked to calculate the quantity of concrete needed to pour a slab for a small shed. He or she will not be popular with the boss if twenty cubic metres (20m3) of concrete is ordered instead of the two metres (2m3) needed. A quick estimation would have shown that the first answer was far too large and a mistake had been made.
   • A particular herbicide should be diluted with water by a ratio of one to twenty (1:20). That is, 50 millilitres (50mL) of herbicide is added to one litre (1L) of water. The herbicide will not be effective if it is diluted by an extra factor of ten (that is 5mL (0.005L) of herbicide to one litre (1L) of water).

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