Approximation is the process of finding a value that is close to, but not exactly equal to, a specific number or quantity. For example, if you need to calculate the total cost of items in a store, you might round the prices to the nearest dollar to make the math easier. This way, you can quickly estimate how much you will spend without needing to add up every cent. In everyday life, approximation is useful in many situations, such as when measuring ingredients in cooking or estimating travel time. For instance, if a recipe calls for 2.5 cups of flour, you might use 2 cups instead, which is a close enough approximation for most dishes.