Approximation
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See: ≈, Approximation Task.
References
2015
- (Wikipedia, 2015) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/approximation Retrieved:2015-6-24.
- An approximation is anything that is similar but not exactly equal to something else. The term can be applied to various properties (e.g. value, quantity, image, description) that are nearly, but not exactly correct; similar, but not exactly the same (e.g. the approximate time was 10 o'clock).
Although approximation is most often applied to numbers, it is also frequently applied to such things as mathematical functions, shapes, and physical laws.
In science, approximation can refer to using a simpler process or model when the correct model is difficult to use. An approximate model is used to make calculations easier. Approximations might also be used if incomplete information prevents use of exact representations.
The type of approximation used depends on the available information, the degree of accuracy required, the sensitivity of the problem to this data, and the savings (usually in time and effort) that can be achieved by approximation.
- An approximation is anything that is similar but not exactly equal to something else. The term can be applied to various properties (e.g. value, quantity, image, description) that are nearly, but not exactly correct; similar, but not exactly the same (e.g. the approximate time was 10 o'clock).
2009
- (WordNet, 2009) ⇒ http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=approximation
- S: (n) estimate, estimation, approximation, idea (an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth) "an estimate of what it would cost"; "a rough idea how long it would take"
- S: (n) approximation (the quality of coming near to identity (especially close in quantity))
- S: (n) approximation (an imprecise or incomplete account) "newspapers gave only an approximation of the actual events"
- S: (n) approximation, bringing close together (the act of bringing near or bringing together especially the cut edges of tissue)
- (Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approximation
- An approximation (usually represented by the symbol ≈) is an inexact representation of something that is still close enough to be useful. Although approximation is most often applied to numbers, it is also frequently applied to such things as mathematical functions, shapes, and physical laws.
- (Wikipedia, 2009) ⇒ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Approximation_error
- The approximation error in some data is the discrepancy between an exact value and some approximation to it. An approximation error can occur because
- 1. the measurement of the data is not precise (due to the instruments), or
- 2. approximations are used instead of the real data (e.g., 3.14 instead of π).
- In the mathematical field of numerical analysis, the numerical stability of an algorithm in numerical analysis indicates how the error is propagated by the algorithm.
- The approximation error in some data is the discrepancy between an exact value and some approximation to it. An approximation error can occur because