Final answer:
Distance-based methods are valuable in situations with low data variation and when exact measures are not known, allowing relative comparisons and problem-solving based on approximate values. They help students understand scale and approximation in real-world scenarios.
Step-by-step explanation:
Distance-based methods are particularly useful when there is little variation in the data or when the exact values are not known, but approximate distances can provide meaningful insights. In real-world problems, sometimes not all information is available, and it's essential to determine what is relevant. For instance, a person might say they walked "12" from home to school. Without a unit of measure, you wouldn't know if they meant miles, kilometers, or another unit. However, distance-based methods could still be used to compare this journey to other journeys if the variations are minimal and a rough estimate is sufficient.
Distance-based approaches are a way to problem-solve when precision is not crucial, but the relative measure is. This method is about understanding the concept of scale and employing approximation techniques when necessary. For students, building a sense of when detailed analysis is essential and when a rough estimate will serve the purpose is a valuable skills.