Approximation

What do you Understand by the Term ‘Approximate’?

The term approximate means a value that is very close or near to the true value. This approximate value is not exact or equal to the precise value.

The term approximation is extracted from the Latin word ‘approximatus’. Approximatus consists of two words, namely proximus, which means very near, and ad, which means to.

Meaning of approximately in Hindi

 The meaning of approximately in Hindi is ‘लगभग’, which refers to the close value, not the exact value. 

Synonyms of Approximate

Following are some synonyms for approximate:

• Estimate
• Near
• Close
• Indefinite
• Imprecise
• Almost

Purpose of Approximation in Daily Life

The term approximate or approximately is frequently used in our daily life. For example, if someone asks for the time, then we tell them the approximate time, not the exact time. If we need to add sugar to tea, then we add the approximate quantity. 

It is to be noted that approximation is not exact but sometimes it becomes very difficult to tell the exact value. Like it is impossible to tell the exact value of time. So, this is where we find approximation helpful.

Use of Approximation in Mathematics

Apart from real life, the approximation is very useful in Mathematics too. For example, if we have to round off the decimal to a whole number, then approximation plays an important role. 

It is applicable to various properties like value, quantity, image, description. It is also useful in things like mathematical functions, shapes, and physical laws. 

Approximation Theory is a branch of Mathematics. An approximation is generally applied when a constant number is unknown or is very difficult to calculate. Then we use the approximate method to find its value with the help of some known form that may represent the real form of the number.

In Mathematics, we have to deal with log tables, slide rules, and calculators which provide us with the approximate values in order to make our calculations easy and fast. 

Use of Approximation in Science

The history of science shows that the older set of laws is the approximations of the new laws. Approximations are natural in science experiments. 

Many theories in science that we study are approximations of real-life situations. They do not give us the exact value. This is because there are such factors in real-life that are not included in the theory. Like, for simple calculations one does not take the damping forces into account. 

In Physics, there are numerous experimental models and circuits that are very difficult to solve. So, we assume their approximate models and continue with the further process which makes our work easier.

For calculating the velocities of the planets, the interaction of the gravitational forces of the planets on each other must be omitted in order to gain the approximate values.