Which type of data provides approximate values based on available information?

The correct answer is estimates because this type of data is specifically characterized by providing approximate values derived from available information. Estimates are often used when exact figures are unavailable, and they rely on historical data, trends, or sample analyses to make reasonably informed guesses about a population or metric.

In research and data analysis, estimates play a crucial role as they allow businesses and researchers to make projections and informed decisions without requiring complete and precise data. For instance, in market research, estimations can be essential for understanding potential market sizes, sales forecasts, or consumer behaviors based on limited or sampled information.

On the other hand, facts refer to concrete and verifiable pieces of information, while predictions involve making projections about future events based on existing data but do not necessarily rely on available information in the same way that estimates do. Analytics refers to the systematic computational analysis of data, which often leads to insights but does not specifically denote approximate values. Thus, estimates uniquely fulfill the role of providing approximations based on existing data and information.