Case context: A calculator result is written as $\sqrt{5} \approx 2.24$.

Question: What is the name of the symbol $\approx$, and what does it mean here?

Sample answer: The symbol $\approx$ is the approximation symbol, read as “approximately.” It means 2.24 is close to $\sqrt{5}$ but is not exactly equal to it.

Key points:

• $\approx$ is the approximation symbol.
• It is read as “approximately.”
• The values are close but not exactly equal.

Rubric: The answer must name the approximation symbol and explain that the values are close but not exactly equal.