What approach is suggested when numbers are fairly close together?

When numbers are fairly close together, calculating the difference is a recommended approach because it allows for a straightforward understanding of how much one number deviates from another. By finding the difference, you can quickly ascertain the proximity of the two values, which can be particularly useful in various mathematical contexts such as comparing quantities or determining intervals.

For instance, if you have two numbers, say 48 and 50, calculating their difference gives you 2. This clear numerical relationship helps in various applications, including assessing errors, measuring variations, or making decisions based on small changes.

In contrast, counting down to find the answer, estimating the average, or using multiplication would not be the most efficient or relevant methods when the focus is on the proximity between two close numbers. Counting down could lead to unnecessary steps, estimating the average may not provide specific insights, and multiplication does not directly relate to understanding the difference in values.