What is Calculation: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A calculation is a deliberate process that transforms one or more inputs into one or more results. The term is used in a variety of senses, from the very definite arithmetical calculation of using an algorithm, to the vague heuristics of calculating a strategy in a competition, or calculating the chance of a successful relationship between two people.
For example, multiplying 7 by 6 is a simple algorithmic calculation. Estimating the fair price for financial instruments using the Black–Scholes model is a more complex algorithmic calculation.
Statistical estimations of the likely election results from opinion polls also involve algorithmic calculations, but produces ranges of possibilities rather than exact answers.
To calculate means to determine mathematically in the case of a number or amount, or in the case of an abstract problem to deduce the answer using logic, reason or common sense. The English word derives from the Latin calculus, which originally meant a small stone in the gall-bladder (from Latin calx). It also meant a pebble used for calculating, or a small stone used as a counter in an abacus (Latin abacus, Greek abax). The abacus was an instrument used by Greeks and Romans for arithmetic calculations, preceding the slide-rule and the electronic calculator, and consisted of perforated pebbles sliding on iron bars.

View More On Wikipedia.org
Recent contents Top users
  1. gracy

    Calculation of work done -- force confusion

    Homework Statement Consider a point charge Q placed at point O.Consider any point p in the field of the Q.Charge q is placed at point p.Charge q is then moved from point p to s the distance i=between p and s is dr.Calculate work done. y Homework Equations ##dW=##-##F^→.dr^→## The Attempt at a...
  2. L

    Vector Displacement calculation

    An airplane takes off and flies 245 km on a course of 45.0° south of west and then changes direction and flies 175 km due south, where it lands. Find the displacement from its starting point to its landing point. I have literally no idea how to approach this, I worked with physics only...
  3. H

    Launching a ball with a flywheel design into a goal

    Hello all, My robotics club at school will be entering the VEX Nothing But Net competition. We are beginning to design the robot and it's launcher specifically. We want our flywheel design to be two wheels on each side, on a horizontal line like this. We would squeeze the balls between the...
  4. I

    Is my pressure calculation correct?

    I built a spreadsheet to determine the flow and everything through a pump. I won't get involved with the first part just assume it to be correct and the gallon per hour/minute calculations are correct...
  5. E

    [Multisim] Transient time point calculation did not converge

    Hi. I have problem simulating this circuit in Multisim: (LTSpice) Here is scheme from Multisim: When I run transient analysis, I got this: ------ Checking SPICE netlist for Design3 - Saturday, September 26, 2015, 10:58:03 AM ------ ======= SPICE Netlist check completed, 0 error(s), 0...
  6. B

    What is the Correct Calculation for Jack's Homemade Temperature Scale?

    Homework Statement Jack decides to create his own temperature scale. He places an uncalibrated mercury thermometer into an ice-water bath and records the mercury level as 20.0S. He then places the same thermometer above boiling water and records the mercury level as 170S. Finally, he divides...
  7. Ankhen

    Calculate Magnet Strength for Lifting 75 kg Iron in 1 Second - Morten

    Hi. Can somebody make a calculation for me? how strong do a magnet need to be to lift a mass of 75 kg iron 1 meter straigth up in 1 second. Best Regards morten
  8. G

    Calculation of alpha particles from 226-Ra decay

    I am trying to solve the following problem for my graduate course in isotope geochemistry. If 1 g of 226Ra is separated from its decay products and then placed in a vessel, how much helium (cm3) will accumulate in the vessel in 60 days? Here is what I know. The decay series from 226Ra to Lead...
  9. nuuskur

    Limit Calc: Find $\lim\limits_{t\to -1} \frac{\sqrt[3]{t}+1}{\sqrt[5]{t}+1}

    Homework Statement Find the limit \lim\limits_{t\to -1}\frac{\sqrt[3]{t}+1}{\sqrt[5]{t}+1}. Needless to say: No L'Hopital's rule, otherwise this thread would not exist. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Have tried multiplying the fraction such that I get the difference of squares in...
  10. J

    Will my steel ejection mold bolts shear under sideways load?

    hello. I have a ejection mold (steel) which has a bridge like mount which locates the handling eye bolts outward around hydraulic cylinders. I need to make sure the bolts in the bridge will not shear due to the sideways load when the mold is lifted or flipped 90degrees. Here is the known...
  11. O

    2D trajectory calculation with constant force

    Hello folks, I need some physics help. Some background to get us on the same rails :) I am developing a 2D game in my spare time. Player controls an object (aka spaceship) in open space (no gravitation influence) by selecting a point in space. A constant force which is always pointed at the...
  12. Goldisach

    How to find Fuel consumption for 10 MW Gas Generator

    Hi I am working on Bio Gas Project and I want to know calculations/Formulas to find out elements of Generator. I am MBA students and i have to submit my project report with to start up new firm on renewable energy. Please submit can share your knowledge to help me.
  13. gracy

    Electric flux calculation in case of a cylinder

    Homework Statement an electric field is uniform,and in the positive x direction for positive x,and uniform with the same magnitude but in the negative x direction for negative x.it is given that vector E=200 I^ (N/C) for x>0 and vector E= -200 (N/C) for x<0 .A right circular cylinder of length...
  14. A

    Material engineering calculation

    Homework Statement Water corresponds to approximately 20 vol.% of the bone in mammals. On a dry weight basis, approximately 70 wt.% of the bone is composed of carbonated apatite. The density of apatite is ~3.0 g/cm3. Density of dry collagens is ~ 1.2 g/cm3. Calculate the volume percentages of...
  15. A

    Is My Calculation of Bone Composition Accurate?

    Hi everyone, I know this is a standard textbook question but I am really wondering whether I am wrong or not. My solution is shown as below but can anybody please give me some opinion? Cause I think it is too simple for this question...Thank you so much. Water corresponds to approximately 20...
  16. A

    Calculation of absorption coefficients of gases at moderate temperatures

    Hello chaps, I'm trying to calculate absorption coefficients of gases at moderate temperatures ie ranges in which diatomic gases (such as N2 orO2) are partially disassociated or ionised, therefore including molecular bands as well as continuum. Can anyone recommend some suitable reading...
  17. N

    Motor torque calculation for Intermittent pull

    Hello, I am working on selection of motor for intermittent wrapping steel strip on a reel, intermittent because system is equipped with a sensor which triggers motor after the strip reaches a certain level in the buffer box and then motor stops when the level of strip falls below another fixed...
  18. D

    Error Calc for Rabbit Feed Measurement

    (Sorry if this is the wrong place for this question, I wasn't sure where to put it) I've been running an experiment with rabbits, and am trying to figure out the error of my feed measurement. I fed them using a 1/3 cup measure, and recorded the number of scoops they got. I estimated that the...
  19. Gary Trinder

    Audio Crossover Frequency Equation....

    Can anyone verify or correct this equation to work out the crossover frequencies of a three tier sound system please? I never was the best in my physics classes... (Please find attached "Crossover Freq.dpf") And thank you in advance for your time. Sorry about the way i have had to write...
  20. J

    Resistance Calculation in Radial Direction - Learn Formula

    Hi, I am wondering how to calculate the resistance for the current running in radial direction starting from the center of a circle? It seems there is a formula out there, and I would also like to know how to derive that formula..Thanks.
  21. E

    MPA calculation VS MPA listed on materials

    Hi, I am not a mathematician or scientist or student. In advance I ask that you please excuse my ignorance. I calculated that at tensile strength of .51 equals an MPA of .0035163. Thank god for internet calculators. I do not know what MPA means, but materials are listed this way. So if I...
  22. Basimalasi

    Calculation of the exhaust velocity of a Hot Water Rocket

    inb4 "google it", I did. There aren't a lot of information about this topic. Can a Hot Water Rocket or a Steam rocket ever succeed to reach outer space? I can calculate the exhaust velocity by determining the change in enthalpy I guess but I don't in which state will it exist in and how can I...
  23. Muhad

    Calculate Pressure Due to Heated Water in Tank

    Hello guys, I have problem to calculation pressure due to heated water in a closed tank. 1. Tank with full of water. 2. Tank with half of water. Does anyone has idea? Thanks a million.
  24. J

    B Field of Large Ring Magnet Calculation

    Hi Everyone , Can anyone explain why I am getting negative result with a large Neodymium N35 ring Magnet ? Br: Remanence field, independent of the magnet's geometry z: Distance from a pole face on the symmetry axis D: Thickness (or height) of the ring Ra: Outside radius of the ring Ri...
  25. B

    Graphical or calculation solution. Which is better? Ohms law

    Homework Statement A student is calculating the resistance of a piece of fuse wire. He takes 5 readings on the voltmeter and ammeter for different settings of a variable resistor. He decides that instead of measuring the gradient of the graph to calculate the resistance, it would be okay to use...
  26. M

    EN 13445-3, Annex T - Required burst pressure calculation

    Hello dear colleagues. I am designing a pressure vessel according to EN 13445-3 pressure vessel code. As I have specified in the thread name I am interested in the required burst pressure calculation. Before I start explaining my situation I would like to know if anybody has got any experience...
  27. L

    MHB Trying to reverse structure a calculation to arrive at original variable

    Trying to reverse-calculate an equation to achieve one of the original variables when not present. 1) You have a number... A (which is always a positive number) 2) A is multiplied by 1.75% 3) This result is then added to A, and the resulting sum being B, i.e. (A x 0.0175) + A = B In my...
  28. F

    Rest energy of the electron - calculation discrepancy

    When I use E=mc2 to calc. the rest energy of an electron, I get .512Mev not .511Mev. I am using 9.109x10-31 kg for the rest mass of an electron and 2.9979x10^8 m/s for the speed of light in a vacuum. Can anyone tell me why there ís a discrepancy between my results and the accepted answer?
  29. W

    Lifting of submerged pipe, ventilation area calculation

    Hello all, This is the situation: a pipe, shown in de drawing below, is lifted at a constant speed of 1m/min. The pipe is closed at the top and open at the bottom. For obvious reasons, a ventilation hole is required at the top. The intention is to lift a minimum amount of water, in other words...
  30. D

    High Altitude Balloon Internal Pressure Calculation?

    One of my hobbies is launching high altitude weather balloons carrying video cameras and scientific instruments to record various environmental parameters at high altitude — 90,000 to 100,000-feet. I'm planning another project and I was wondering how much pressure is being exerted inside my...
  31. T

    What is the Charge on Each Balloon?

    Homework Statement A typical inflated balloon has a mass of 4g. Two balloons are rubbed against wool, touched together and then suspended by someone holding the thread at its centre. It is found that the ballooons rest so that trheir centres are 42cm apart and that the thread encloses an angle...
  32. W

    Calculation of Cable tension through pulley system

    Hi, I'm new to PF so this is my first post. I have a real case scenario as my first thread in which I have a gravitational tensioning system that provides tension to a cable conveyor. The tensioning system includes a series of pulleys in a particular reeving arrangement that is fixed on one...
  33. S

    Is ΔG always equal to 0 when ΔSsystem ≠ 0 and qP = 0?

    ΔG=ΔH-TΔSsystem and ΔSsystem=qp/T and isn't qp=ΔH? Which means ΔG=0 always which is obviously wrong. But the derivation for Gibbs Free Energy is based on qsurrounding=-qsystem so shouldn't the term be equals to 0?
  34. A

    Torque calculation of an vehicle

    hi, i have 8000 lb machine it has 4 wheels (just like car), i want it to move on 2 ft/sec speed on cast iron wheels with steel track at flat surface. radius of every wheel in 5 inch. what will be the torque required to move this machine?? and what will be the torque on each wheel?? i want to...
  35. T

    Gas Law Calculation: Pressure Effects of Temp from 17-22C

    [Moderator's note: Recategorized thread to "Basic".] I'm having an issue at work that I think may be down to temperature. I have a sealed chamber that is 1m X 1m X 1.5m. The chamber has to be pressure tested but the results are all over the show. The only variable is temperature. So my...
  36. T

    Calculation of the running coupling

    The beta function is defined as: \beta(\lambda)=M\frac{d}{dM}\lambda If we make the substitution t=ln(p/M) the above equation becomes: \beta(\lambda)=-\frac{d}{dt}\lambda Now if we use e.g. the QED beta function \beta(e)=\frac{e^3}{12\pi^3} and for e(p=M)=e_0 the result is...
  37. E

    Fictious forces and calculation of energy + c.o.m. question

    Hi, I am aware that in order for energy to be conserved the reference frame that you are using must be inertial. However, consider the situation where you are using the reference frame of the Earth and there is a decently sized planet directly above on course for collision. The two have a...
  38. I

    Brake fluid volume calculation

    Hello. I am in the process of calculating the brake fluid volume in the reservoir. I have a front disc and rear drum brake system. While the piston travel is clear for the disc brake, my question is related to the drum brake wheel cylinder piston travel. Assuming that the liner wear is 8 mm...
  39. S

    Total column water calculation from radiosonde data

    hello, i want to calculate total column water from a radiosonde station data. data are relative humidity, pressure and temperature in various altitude. my course is not physics or meteorology. please help me. is there a free software?
  40. Moteor

    Machinery Rated Power Calculation

    Hi everyone, Thanks for the help in advance. I have a project with a piece of machinery that is rated to 105 HP @ 540 RPM. I was wondering what the torque rating for the machine would be, whilst its being driven from a diesel engine? I believe there is a direct relationship between Torque and...
  41. H

    Calculating Uncertainty for Focal Length: 50mm + 3mm & 200mm + 5mm

    Hi! So I've stumbled upon this question asking us to calculate the uncertainty associated with the focal length. 1/u + 1/v = 1/f u = 50mm with uncertainty 3mm v= 200mm with uncertainty 5mm F is calculated as 40mm, what's the uncertainty in this value? My first approach was to rearrange...
  42. F

    G force calculation of hitting the head

    Hello, Could you guys please do me a favor and calc the g force of a 8.8lbs head that accelerates with 1m/s or 1.5m/s and than hits a solid metal objebt with the back of the head which moves 0.5 mm. This is no homework. It happened to me.
  43. H

    Calculating Spiral Loadings in Helical Structures

    Hey there! Usually we learned to calculate (in this case, I learned mostly in square/rectangular shapes), but I would like to ask how to we calculate spiral loadings? How would the load be transferred when the structure is in spiral shapes? Thanks! Here's an example of the structure.
  44. M

    MHB Percentage in Commission Calculation Issue

    I'm trying to figure out a formula for a pay plan, I think we are calculating things incorrectly but I can't seem to work out the right formula.. The idea is that an employee is paid a percentage of the business's net income, the owner believes that percentage should be after their pay is...
  45. S

    Gear Ratio & Voltage/Current Calculation for 24V 1500rpm BLDC Motor on a Tricycle

    I have a 24V, 1500rpm bldc motor.The power output will be around 400W. We are using it to electrically drive a tricycle. How can I calculate the gear ratio to decrease the rpm and increase the torque? The transmission system includes an intermediate shaft with 22 teeth sprocket and 44 teeth...
  46. James1907

    Load Calculation for Hollow Pipe (OD-320mm,ID-310mm,Height-600mm,MS)

    Can you please help me out to find out the load that a Hollow pipe can withstand. OD-320mm ID-310 mm Height-600 mm Material -Mild Steel How much load can it withstand? Your help will be appreciated.
  47. A

    Calculation of equivalent resistance

    Homework Statement : [/B]Given the circuit diagram, find the equivalent resistance between points P and Q. Homework Equations : [/B]ΔVloop = 0, ΔIjunction = 0 and V = IRThe Attempt at a Solution : [/B]Eliminating the wires with no resistors and solving for resistance gives me the answer as...
  48. MironeDagains

    Crane pivot force calculation help

    Here's a diagram of what I'm talking about: http://i.imgur.com/irgHuqq.jpg Basically, the only variable altered is the value for x. I tried googling for hours now, have read everything in my book relating to this topic, I still have absolutely no clue how to answer this. I tried studying sites...
  49. A

    How to Calculate Conductor Size for Different Types of Loads?

    How to calculate condoctor size for different types of load like resistive load, inductive load or capacitive load etc and what will be neutral wire size for these load? Any body please help me. Thnx
  50. I

    Help for calculation of the heat of the following reaction

    Anybody can help for calculation of the heat of the following reaction? Some background: Ligand X bind to protein M, the product is MX. Binding affinity of X to M is K = [MX]/([M]*[X]). [MX], [M], [X] are the concentrations of each stuff after the reaction finished. The ratio of MX to total M...
Back
Top