概数(がいすう)

がいすう
noun
approximate number; rough figure
1. approximate number; rough figure; round number
A number that is not exact but gives a general idea of the quantity. Used in mathematics education, statistics, and everyday reporting when precise figures are unnecessary or unavailable.
概数(がいすう)で答(こた)えなさい。
Give your answer as an approximate number.
参加(さんか)人数(にんずう)は概数(がいすう)で三百人(さんびゃくにん)ほどだった。
The number of participants was roughly three hundred.
小学校(しょうがっこう)の算数(さんすう)で概数(がいすう)の求(もと)め方(かた)を習(なら)った。
I learned how to calculate approximate numbers in elementary school math.

Compound of 概(がい) (approximate; general) + 数(すう) (number). Taught as a formal mathematical concept in Japanese elementary school (typically 4th grade), where students learn rounding (四捨五入(ししゃごにゅう)).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 概数(がいすう)で表(あらわ)す: to express as an approximate number
  • 概数(がいすう)で答(こた)える: to answer with a rough figure
  • 概数(がいすう)の求(もと)め方(かた): how to calculate approximate numbers
  • 概数(がいすう)を使(つか)う: to use approximate numbers

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 約(やく): approximately — prefix for approximate quantities; more casual (約(やく)百人(ひゃくにん))
  • おおよそ: roughly; approximately — adverb used conversationally
  • 四捨五入(ししゃごにゅう): rounding (off) — the specific method of rounding to the nearest value
  • 端数(はすう): fraction; odd amount — the remainder that gets dropped when rounding
general
Added 2026.4.21 20:24
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