Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) Practice Exam

What is the process of estimating the value of a numerical expression called?

1. Approximation

2. Estimation

3. Calculation

4. Assessment

The correct answer is: Estimation

The process of estimating the value of a numerical expression is referred to as estimation. This involves making an educated guess or providing an approximate value based on rounding numbers or simplifying calculations to understand the general size or magnitude of the result without requiring precise accuracy. Estimation is particularly useful in everyday situations where an exact number is not necessary, and it can aid in quickly assessing whether an answer is reasonable or validating mental calculations. While approximation generally refers to the act of rounding or creating a similar value, in this context, estimation is the more precise term to describe the overall process of making a numerical value easier to manage without the need for exactitude. Calculation usually implies performing the actual arithmetic operations necessary to obtain a precise answer, which goes beyond the concept of estimating. Assessment, on the other hand, refers more broadly to the evaluation or measurement of knowledge, skills, or performance rather than numerical evaluation.