approximation
Close enough figure
An approximation is something close to but not exactly right—a value, estimate, or representation that comes near the target without hitting it precisely.
In math and science, approximations are often necessary when exact answers are impractical or impossible: Pi is irrational, so any decimal is an approximation.
More broadly, any rough version counts: The sketch was a crude approximation of the final design.
Finite problem-solving procedure
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- epsilonGreek fifth letter
- interpolationEstimating between known values
- limitMaximum allowed extent
numerical · optimization · rounding · truncation · iteration · linearization · asymptote · finite element
Approximate value judgment
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
assessment · judgment · appraisal · conjecture · guesstimate · inference · reckoning · valuation
Lack of exactness
- inexactnessLack of precision
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
- roughnessUneven surface quality
- loosenessState of not tight
fuzziness · margin of error · tolerance · uncertainty · inaccuracy · crudeness · coarseness · sketchiness
State of proximity
- vicinityNearby surrounding area
- adjacencyState of being beside
- nearingGetting progressively closer
- vergingApproaching a boundary
bordering · almost · nearly · about · roughly · circa · in the ballpark · within range
Likeness between things
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
- parallelEquidistant at all points
equivalence · similitude · comparability · analogue · counterpart · semblance · facsimile · imitation
algorithm
Finite problem-solving procedure
- convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
- epsilonGreek fifth letter
- interpolationEstimating between known values
limit · numerical · optimization · rounding · truncation · iteration · linearization · asymptote · finite element · polynomial
estimation
Approximate value judgment
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
evaluation · assessment · judgment · appraisal · conjecture · guesstimate · inference · reckoning · valuation · quantification
imprecision
Lack of exactness
- inexactnessLack of precision
- vaguenessAbsence of precision
- roughnessUneven surface quality
looseness · fuzziness · margin of error · tolerance · uncertainty · inaccuracy · crudeness · coarseness · sketchiness · tentativeness
closeness
State of proximity
verging · bordering · almost · nearly · about · roughly · circa · in the ballpark · within range · close enough
resemblance
Likeness between things
- likenessVisual similarity or representation
- analogyExplanatory likeness between things
- correspondenceExchanged written communication
parallel · equivalence · similitude · comparability · analogue · counterpart · semblance · facsimile · imitation · replica
- mental shortcutsmental shortcut, rule of thumb, hunch, gut feeling, educated guess
- rough estimatesrough estimate, ballpark figure, guesstimate, rough numbers, rough cut
- optimizationoptimization, caching, optimum, indexing, prefetching
- Simplificationsideal gas, frictionless, point source, rigid body, blackbody
- mathaddition, subtraction, multiplication, division, algebra
- estimatesestimate, estimation, ballpark, ballpark estimate, rough estimate
approximationexactness
Correctness in every detail
precision · exactitude · specificity · pinpoint accuracy · definiteness
approximationdifference
Way things contrast
dissimilarity · divergence · unlikeness · disparity · distance