Geometry involves the use of many ratios and exponents. Many of these do not have exact values. For example, Pi
is a ratio of the circumference to the Diameter of a circle. Using these precise relaitonships between factors
results in very accurate answers. However, often it is more useful to simplify the final answer to a way that
is easier to understand. Likewise, in some cases, it is easier to perform a geometric computation with
approximate values. It is important to know the difference between exact and approximate values, and to recognize
that using approximations frequently in computing a complex problem can (if one is not careful) create an
inaccurate answer.
This video may be used as a refresher for exact vs. approximate values:
Approximate values are used very frequently in life. Few people are exactly
6' tall, but we do not usually measure the extra fractions of an inch. Many tax forms now
round to the nearest whole dollar. But just like you might approximate the time required to
travel to work (e.g. about 15min), it is important to know when it is more appropriate to
use the real value (e.g. if the trip actually requires 17min, then you would be 2min late).
