Fermi problem
ESTIMATION PROBLEM DESIGNED TO TEACH DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OR APPROXIMATION
Fermi's question; Fermi question; Fermi estimate; Fermi calculation; Fermi Problem; Fermi method; Fermi estimation; Fermi estimates; Fermi problems; Fermi Quiz
In physics or engineering education, a Fermi problem, Fermi quiz, Fermi question, Fermi estimate, order-of-magnitude problem, order-of-magnitude estimate, or order estimation is an estimation problem designed to teach dimensional analysis or approximation of extreme scientific calculations, and such a problem is usually a back-of-the-envelope calculation. The estimation technique is named after physicist Enrico Fermi as he was known for his ability to make good approximate calculations with little or no actual data.