2014-04-26 10:52:28 -04:00
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to a first approximation
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2014-04-26 11:54:15 -04:00
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adj. 1. [techspeak] When one is doing certain numerical computations, an
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approximate solution may be computed by any of several heuristic methods,
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then refined to a final value. By using the starting point of a first
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approximation of the answer, one can write an algorithm that converges more
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quickly to the correct result. 2. In jargon, a preface to any comment that
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indicates that the comment is only approximately true. The remark To a first
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approximation, I feel good might indicate that deeper questioning would
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reveal that not all is perfect (e.g., a nagging cough still remains after an
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illness).
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