Final answer:
To estimate the sum of 2 1/2 and 5 5/8 by rounding, keep 2 1/2 as it is and round 5 5/8 up to 6. The estimated sum is then 8 1/2.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to estimating the sum of two mixed numbers by rounding each number to the nearest half or whole. To answer the question, you first need to identify the appropriate value to round each number to. For the number 2 1/2, it is already at a half, so there is no need to round. However, for the number 5 5/8, we need to determine whether to round up to the nearest whole number or to the nearest half. Since 5/8 is more than 1/2, we round up to 5 3/4 (which is 6). Now it is simple to add the two rounded numbers: 2 1/2 (which remains unchanged) + 6 = 8 1/2. Therefore, the estimated sum of the numbers rounded to the nearest half or whole is 8 1/2.