Question

estimate the difference.
$19\frac{1}{12} - 9\frac{1}{2} \approx \square$
round each number to the nearest whole number, then calculate.
check
you can hit the enter key to check.

Explanation:

Step1: Round first mixed number

$19\frac{1}{12} \approx 19$ (since $\frac{1}{12} < 0.5$)

Step2: Round second mixed number

$9\frac{1}{2} \approx 10$ (since $\frac{1}{2} = 0.5$, round up)

Step3: Calculate the estimated difference

$19 - 10 = 9$

Wait, correction: For rounding rules, when the fraction is exactly 0.5, some conventions round to the nearest even whole number. 9 is odd, so $9\frac{1}{2} \approx 9$ (even alternative, but standard for basic estimation often rounds 0.5 up, but let's follow strict nearest whole:
Wait, re-assess:

Step1: Round $19\frac{1}{12}$

$\frac{1}{12} \approx 0.08 < 0.5$, so $19\frac{1}{12} \approx 19$

Step2: Round $9\frac{1}{2}$

$\frac{1}{2}=0.5$, for basic estimation, round to 10, but if rounding 0.5 to nearest even, 10 is even, so $9\frac{1}{2} \approx 10$

Step3: Compute difference

$19 - 10 = 9$

But another common basic approach: $\frac{1}{2}$ is 0.5, sometimes rounded down for 9.5 to 9. Then $19-9=10$. Given the problem says "round each number to the nearest whole number", the standard rule for 0.5 is to round up, so $9\frac{1}{2} \approx 10$, $19\frac{1}{12}\approx19$, $19-10=9$. But in many elementary math settings, $9\frac{1}{2}$ is rounded to 10, $19\frac{1}{12}$ to 19, difference 9.

Final corrected answer:

Step1: Round $19\frac{1}{12}$ to whole

$\frac{1}{12}<0.5$, so $19\frac{1}{12}\approx19$

Step2: Round $9\frac{1}{2}$ to whole

$\frac{1}{2}=0.5$, round up to $10$

Step3: Subtract rounded values

$19 - 10 = 9$

Answer:

10