--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to have an approximate…" description: "\"“It is better to have an approximate answer to the right question than an exact answer to the wrong question. —JOHN TUKEY,”\" — Josh Kaufman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/josh-kaufman-18426_answer_it-is-better-to-have-an-approximate-answ_2084903.png" --- # It is better to have an approximate answer to the right… ![“It is better to have an approximate answer to the right question than an exact answer to the wrong question. —JOHN TUKEY,” quote by Josh Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/josh-kaufman-18426_answer_it-is-better-to-have-an-approximate-answ_2084903.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/josh-kaufman-18426_answer_it-is-better-to-have-an-approximate-answ_2084903.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5e/josh-kaufman-18426_answer_it-is-better-to-have-an-approximate-answ_2084903.png) > ““It is better to have an approximate answer to the right question than an exact answer to the wrong question. —JOHN TUKEY,”” [Josh Kaufman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-kaufman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. An approximate solution to the correct problem is more valuable than a precise solution to an irrelevant one. **In simple terms:** Right problem, even rough answer, beats wrong problem exact answer. Key Takeaway Prioritize asking the right question. Themes problem solving decision making clarity Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - business analysis - scientific research - personal planning Key Concepts epistemology strategic thinking Questions to Reflect On - What problem am I truly trying to solve? - How can I verify I’m addressing the right issue? A Different Perspective Exact answers can mislead if the underlying question is flawed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [An approximate answer to the right question is worth far more than a precise answer to the wrong one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tuley/an-approximate-answer-to-the-right-question-is-worth-far-more-than-a/) John Tuley > [Far better an approximate answer to the right question, which is often vague, than the exact answer to the wrong question, which can always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tukey/far-better-an-approximate-answer-to-the-right-question-which-is-often/) [John Tukey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tukey/) > [An approximate answer to the right problem is worth a good deal more than an exact answer to an approximate problem.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tukey/an-approximate-answer-to-the-right-problem-is-worth-a-good-deal-more/) [John Tukey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tukey/) > [“he realized that he could get an approximate answer that was “good enough” in a short time,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-m-krauss/he-realized-that-he-could-get-an-approximate-answer-that-was-good/) [Lawrence M. 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