To estimate the sum of the given decimal numbers, the first step is to round each of the decimals to the nearest whole number. Let's do this for each individual number:
1. For 4.493:
- The decimal part is 0.493, which is less than 0.5.
- Therefore, 4.493 rounds down to 4.
2. For 8.962:
- The decimal part is 0.962, which is greater than or equal to 0.5.
- Therefore, 8.962 rounds up to 9.
3. For 4.018:
- The decimal part is 0.018, which is less than 0.5.
- Therefore, 4.018 rounds down to 4.
Now, we add the rounded numbers together:
[tex]\[
4 + 9 + 4
\][/tex]
Adding these, we get:
[tex]\[
4 + 9 = 13
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
13 + 4 = 17
\][/tex]
So, the estimated sum of 4.493, 8.962, and 4.018 by rounding each to the nearest whole number is 17.
