likiarvo

Likiarvo is a Finnish term meaning approximate value. It denotes a value that approximates a true quantity, typically used when the exact value is unknown, impractical to compute, or only needed to a chosen degree of precision. The word is formed from liki, meaning approximately, and arvo, meaning value.

In mathematical and educational contexts, likiarvo refers to a numerical estimate produced by an approximation method or by measurement. For example, 3.14 is a likiarvo of pi, and numerical methods such as iterative algorithms yield likiarvoja that converge toward the true solution within a specified tolerance. Likiarvoja may be refined or rounded as needed to fit a given precision or reporting standard.

The concept emphasizes the distinction between a computed or observed value and the exact quantity it represents. It is commonly used to discuss results in calculations, simulations, and data analysis where exact values are either unknown or unnecessary for the task at hand. Likiarvo is related to, but distinct from, terms such as estimate and approximation, which appear in broader statistical and analytical contexts. In Finnish technical writing, likiarvo helps communicate the level of precision and the potential error associated with a value.

See also: estimate, approximation, numerical analysis, measurement error.