APPROXIMATION

TOPICS

1. Approximation of Numbers: Decimal Places, Significant Figures
2. Quantitative Reasoning

Approximation of Numbers

To approximate a number means to write a number near the original number, not exactly the original number. It may be a bit more or less than the original. Whole numbers can be approximated to the nearest ten, hundred, thousand, million, etc.

Let’s consider the table below:

From the above table, we can see that when numbers are approximated, they do not give the exact result expected. In approximation, we only consider the next figure we are approximating. If it is up to \(5\) and above, we take it as one (\(1\)) and add the (\(1\)) to the figure we are approximating to. If it is less than \(5\), we make it \(zero (0)\) and add \(zero\) to the figure.

Examples:

1. Sum \(48, 226\) and \(592\) and approximate your answer to the nearest hundred.

Solution:

\(48 + 226 + 592 = 866\)

To the nearest hundred \(866 = 900\)

2.