Here's why it's difficult to get a precise figure:
* Incomplete Records: Many records were lost or destroyed, especially in the early years of the trade.
* Variations in Data Collection: Different sources used different methods for recording the number of slaves.
* Undocumented Passage: Some Africans may have been transported without being officially recorded.
It's important to remember that these figures represent a horrific tragedy in human history, and the true impact of the slave trade is immeasurable.