[Vocabulary] “about” is redudant?

[dodonaomik]

According to a study by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching,
companies in the United States are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people,
about as many as are enrolled in the nation’s four-year colleges and universities:tick:.


:?:Question： In my eye, about is redundant, but it's regrettable that the book says;-) that the sentence is right.
So I really want to ask whether about is really necessary or not.



Sincere thanks!!!

 

[bhaisahab]

According to a study by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching,
companies in the United States are providing job training and general education for nearly eight million people,
about as many as are enrolled in the nation’s four-year colleges and universities:tick:.


:?:Question： In my eye, about is redundant, but it's regrettable that the book says;-) that the sentence is right.
So I really want to ask whether about is really necessary or not.



Sincere thanks!!!

No, it's not redundant. It means "approximately" in that context..