What is Calculations: 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.

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  1. L

    3D sphere oblique impacts calculations

    Hello, Im creating a physics simulator and I am struggling to expand my collisions from 2D to 3D. In 2D the velocity only changes parallel to the line of center so I presume this is the same for 3D.I can get a Cartesian equation of line but I am not sure how to get the velocity component...
  2. hilbert2

    A Several ground state calculations at once

    Suppose I want to find the ground states corresponding to several Hamiltonian operators ##\left\{ \hat{H}_i \right\}##, which are similar to each other. As an example, let's take the ##\hat{H}_i##:s to be anharmonic oscillator Hamiltonians, written in nondimensional form (##\hbar = m = 1##) as...
  3. Eclair_de_XII

    What is wrong with my linear charge density calculations?

    Homework Statement "A straight, nonconducting plastic wire ##x=9.50_{10^{-2}}m## long carries a charge density of ##λ=1.3_{10^{-7}} C/m## distributed uniformly along its length. It is lying on a horizontal tabletop. If the wire is now bent into a circle lying flat on the table, find the...
  4. Xilus

    NASA NASA Eclipse Calculations Accuracy

    How accurate do you think NASA's eclipse calculations are? Will that aircraft provide accurate moon trajectory?
  5. C

    I Buoyancy of Helium and Hydrogen Balloons: Calculations and STP Considerations

    As a note, this is my first post on this site. I was looking at some bouyancy calculations with regard to balloons being in air when I came across this post. I cannot understand why the calculation for the net force of bouyancy done by Vintage (the last post on the page) does not include the...
  6. N

    Transformer voltage regulation and calculations

    This particular question is for an assignment. However, I believe that I have the final (correct) answer, but want to check the understanding. I am required to calculate the resistance of the secondary winding of a transformer. The transformer is a 415:11000 V step-up, rated at 200kVA but with...
  7. J

    B How to do the calculations showing the Universe is flat?

    I've been trying to understand how we know that the observable universe is flat, and I'm having difficulty finding any sources that explain exactly how the calculations were done. On this WMAP website (https://map.gsfc.nasa.gov/mission/sgoals_parameters_geom.html), it says: "A central feature of...
  8. Gotbread

    Using a centrifuge to extract heavy water (help with the calculations please)

    Hello everyone! I have seen several DIY projects which successfully gathered heavy water from normal water. For example Cody from codys lab used electrolysis to "enrich" the water. This however is a messy process. So i became curious, if this can be done easier by centrifugation. Based on...
  9. A

    Some calculations in Newton's Third Law

    Hello, 1- IF we have an object has 200 kg and we also have a machine has 5 kg and pushes that object with force of 600 n , in Newton third law it must be another force =-600n then : the acceleration of the object must be 3 m\s^2 and the acceleration of the machine is 120 m\s^2 , Am I wrong...
  10. S

    Checking My Gearbox RPM Calculations for Conveyors

    I am not really buying my calculations of a gearboxes rpm for some conveyor applications. First conveyor has to travel 30 feet in 4.5 minutes with 2" rollers. If I divide 30' by 4.5minutes I get 6.667feet/minute and with a 2" diameter the gearbox should be about a 12:1 ratio. The other is a...
  11. Cassius1n

    Solving Satellite Orbit & Eccentric Anomaly Calculations

    Hi, everyone! I'm trying to find the period of a satellite orbiting the Earth by the next formulas with: miu= 398600.5; a=36770.48 km; I. 2*pi*(a^3/miu)^1/2 II. 84.489*(a/Re)^(3/2)min III. 0.00016587*a^(3/2)min And I got aprox. 19 hours from both formulas (I. and III.) which is correct. Can...
  12. A

    Adiabatic compressed air and energy calculations

    Homework Statement . Consider a pump that is required to compress air in a factory. The cylinder in the pump has an inner diameter of 2.00 cm and length 60.0 cm. Air is drawn into the pump at atmospheric pressure and 18 degrees celcius and the pump adiabatically compresses the air to a pressure...
  13. C

    Need help doing force calculations with magnetism (between magnets)

    I am trying to calculate the forces (in Newtons) between a permanent magnet, and an electromagnet. All I can find is interactions between permanent magnets, electromagnets, but never both and it is getting really confusing for me to do the calculations. So basically, if I have a permanent...
  14. Wrichik Basu

    A problem in volumetric calculations in Chemistry

    Homework Statement :[/B] The density of a 2.05 molar solution of acetic acid is 1.02g/ml. The Molality of the solution is: (a) 1.14 mole/kg (b) 3.28 mole/kg (c) 2.28 mole/g (d) 0.44 mole/kg Homework Equations :[/B] The Attempt at a Solution :[/B] I tried it out very simply using unitary...
  15. R

    A DFT Code for Finite-Temperature Calculations

    I'm interested in calculating density of states (DOS) and band structures for metals in which the electrons have a finite temperature (up to ~ 3 eV). I've read several papers indicating that the DOS shifts with electron temperature, and that DFT can be used to calculate finite-temperature...
  16. Jason Louison

    Automotive Exhaust Gas Pressure/Blowdown Calculations

    Hi! I am a bit confuzzled by these equations given by a highly referenced and cited paper I have been using to create a spreadsheet I have been working on. The equations are: PV=mRT Where P is the cylinder pressure, m is the mass of gasses in the cylinder, R universal gas constant of the gas...
  17. Alexander1

    Voltage Regulator Circuit Calculations

    Hey Guys, so I'm just in need of some help in relation to finding the output current after the voltage has been dropped to 6V. The circuit has an input voltage of 24V and I've attached a photo of my circuit diagram. Hopefully I haven't made any errors in that, but I've tested the circuit and it...
  18. M

    MHB Train Journey: Acceleration, Retardation & Distance Calculations

    a train accelerates uniformly from rest to a speed v m/s with uniform acceleration a m/s^2 it then decelerates uniformly to rest with uniform retardation 3a m/s^2. the total distance traveled is s metres. if the average speed for the whole journey is square root (s/2) find the value of a. does...
  19. J

    I How can I identify the appropriate spectral line for Doppler calculation?

    Hi, I was looking into Doppler shift calculations, and I came across this blog post. It gives a very simple and straight forward account of calculating the velocity of a star. Following is the summary the blog post: Spectrum of Alpha Centauri (A. Cen.) is obtained through Lhires III...
  20. M

    Framework Problem: Constructing Engine Mount for Airplane

    Hi! I'm currently doing a project where I'm constructing a framework for an engine mount connecting an airplane with an engine. The project involves both calculations by hand and with CAD(Creo), and i have no problem with the CAD part as i have done the simulations. The part with doing...
  21. M

    Programs for thermodynamics calculations

    I know these calculations in thermodynamics can be done by hand or a simple calculator but I wonder if some programs do these calculations. These programs might be called multiphysics programs. An example of a calculation - select piston-cylinder arrangement. -enter initial...
  22. J

    Can ANSYS AIM Solve Complex Cooling Fan Calculations?

    Hi everyone! I was wondering if there is a known equation to calculate how the speed of a fan affects the cooling of a heat source. Is there a way to calculate this or know what type of relationship it is? Thanks!
  23. Nod

    A Quantized Dirac field calculations

    Hi everyone! I'm having a problem with calculating the fermionic propagator for the quantized Dirac field as in the attached pdf. The step that puzzles me is the one performed at 5.27 to get 5.28. Why can I take outside (iγ⋅∂+m) if the second term in 5.27 has (iγ⋅∂-m)? And why there's a...
  24. G

    Help with calculations using molar mass

    So my chemistry teacher said that: Moles of a compound = mass of the sample (grams) ÷ molar mass of the compound (grams/mol) So how do i get from there to the equations mol = g x (mol/g)?? I would like to know the steps involved i.e. rearranging the equation, dimensional analysis Thanks!
  25. S

    Java Javascript library for QM calculations

    Does anyone know of a good library in javascript that would help to develop technically accurate animations? I know there is stuff in python, but I'd like things to happen in the browser. Apart from linear algebra with complex valued matrices and vectors, I'd like to have things like numerical...
  26. JaWa

    EMotor Wire Turn Calculations

    It's been like 3 or 4 years since I've built an electric motor & I've forgotten mostly everything and need some help getting this worked out for those that don't mind. I'm trying to build a 48V 40-60A eBike motor. I'm using 200C 10AWG Magnet Wire. I have a 24 pole stator core. The stator core...
  27. nothing909

    JFET Calculations: Finding Rs & Rg

    Homework Statement With reference to the diagram attached. i) What would be a suitable value for Rg and why ii) If the drain current is 2mA, determine a suitable Q-point on the mutual characteristics and hence obtain a value for Rs[/B] The Attempt at a Solution i) I chose a 2.2M ohm resistor...
  28. C

    Sinking Boat: Calculations & Results

    Homework Statement The bottom of the boat has dimensions a = 50 m, b = 10 m, the height of the ship is c = 5m. Impact created in the bottom a circular hole with a diameter d = 20 mm. The initial height of the upper edge of the ship above the water level is h = 3.5 m. The ship is empty and open...
  29. sams

    Inquiring about Computer HW Specifications for Time-Intensive Calculations

    Dear Everyone, We are a research group doing research in computational sciences. We are considering ordering new computers for our research. I was wondering if anyone could advise us regarding the hardware specifications needed to run heavy and time-expensive programs, specifically in...
  30. MaxKang

    Aspect ratio used in induced drag and lift calculations

    Hello everyone, I am working on a 3.2 meter wing span electric aircraft with another group of 30 engineering students. In calculating the induced drag and lift for preliminary calcs I am a little confused as to whether I need to include the width of the fuselage in the wing span(b) for induced...
  31. P

    Freeboard calculations for pontoon with additional weight

    I seem to be stuck in a rut and so I was hoping you guys could help me out with this should-be easy question.. The pontoon dimensions are (L x W x H) 114.84m X 15m X 3.4m. Made of concrete. There is about 1m of freeboard so I figured using the water displacement, the structure weights about...
  32. T

    Load Shoulder Pressure Stress Calculations (Sketch Attached)

    I'm in the process of designing a part which must be submerged down to 2000m (200 bar/20 MPa/ 2900 psi). A sketch of the part has been attached. The outer housing will be titanium and the inner part aluminium. I've carried out the calcs for the outer part to withstand the external pressure, but...
  33. T

    How to calculate the average with uncertainties?

    Homework Statement How to calculate the average given the uncertainties in each measurement 8.70 +/- 0.28, 9.680 +/- 0.046, 9.700 +/- 0.055, 9.720 +/- 0.067? Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I know I add the values and divide by 4. I also know I add the absolute uncertainties but...
  34. InfernoxCJC

    Simplified Air-Conditioning Calculations

    Hello everyone! I am currently having some real issues estimating the power requirements for a concept vehicle's Air-Conditioning System, and I mean I've been going over this on and off for the better part of a fortnight. At this stage I feel like I have fried my brain and have no idea if I am...
  35. R

    ASME PV Calc open source software for vessel MAWP calculations

    Does anyone know if there is an open source (or relatively inexpensive) software that is roughly equivalent to PV calc. Specifically that uses ASME formulas to calculate MAWP or vacuum ratings on a vessel?
  36. ramzerimar

    Calculations for weight-lifting motor....

    The project I'm building involves a 12 V electric motor connected to a spindle lifting a 20kg weight. The radius of the spindle is 2cm, so the torque applied by the weight is 0,02m*20kg*9,8m/s^2, which gives me 3,92N*m. So, my 12 V motor needs to deliver 3,92N*m just to keep the weight steady...
  37. C

    B Uncertainty Calculations for Electrical Measurements

    I know the rules to experimental uncertainties with addition and subtraction, but what about division? For instance here The light bulb was measured to have 1.27 ±.05V by the DMM in parallel. Using the DMM in series, its current drawn was .202 ±1A. As a result its resistance was approximately...
  38. W

    Relativity: Time dilation and distance calculations

    Homework Statement Could someone help point out certain conceptual errors in my interpretation of the mirror clocks time dilation thought experiment? Say S' is the frame of reference traveling at speed V w.r.t to frame S, which means that events happen at the same coordinate in S'. We know...
  39. N

    Transformer Calculations: 200 kVA, 415V to 11 kV, 0.8 PF at 2% Regulation

    Homework Statement A 415V to 11 kV transformer has a rating of 200 kVA. The winding resistance and leakage reactance when referred to the primary are 0.014 ##\Omega## and 0.057 ##\Omega## respectively. (a) Determine the % regulation of the transformer at 0.8 power factor lagging. (b) In...
  40. M

    Help Needed with basic Beam & Structural Calculations

    Hello, My name is Molly. I am looking for help with Basic Engineering Calculations and how to understand them. This is not homework and certainly not for anything dangerous or anything I am building. I simply have developed a fascination for the subject and a strong desire to understand the...
  41. I

    A Software for symbolic calculations in high energy physics

    I interest the software, which understands gamma and sigma matrices, that the convolution can go over Lorentz indexs, and over group indexs, which understands what is covariant differentiation, trace. I tried to use maple, but work goes with difficulty. Although I write convolution over...
  42. T

    Flow Calculations: Solenoid & SLM Rates

    So, I am new to here and I am currently a technician that does vacuum systems for the semiconductor industry (mainly Electrical). I came across something today that has me quite perplexed. So We have this system that flows gas through 1/4" stainless tubing to a pump to dilute gasses and...
  43. M

    Shaft and Torque Calculations with Mass

    Suppose I have a motor driving a shaft that runs 1.5m long with a screw attached, the screw is mixing a product. Power = Torque x Speed Torque = Power/Speed To find my Torque I can use my Shear Max = Tr/J And J for a shaft is Tmax = (π / 16) τmax D3 My question is, where does the mass of the...
  44. runningman19

    Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium Calculations

    Hi Everyone, I am having trouble grasping the concept of Raoult's law, partial pressures etc. One problem in specific is: A system contains 3 moles of methanol and 7 moles of water at 25 degrees celsius. The temperature is raised until there is 40 mol% methanol in the gas phase. How much is...
  45. E

    Why is "dr" not used for moment of inertia calculations?

    When calculating the moment of inertia for a rotating object, why is "dr" not incorporated into the integral? However, dm is part of the integral, isn't the distance from the axis of rotation changing as well? Hence shouldn't the integral involve both dm and dr?
  46. B

    Range Calculations: Mars vs Earth

    Homework Statement Here's a similar problem to the one in my book (I don't want to post the one in my book as I don't want to cheat): The gravitational acceleration on Mars is 3.719[m/s^2]. The gravitational acceleration on Earth (excluding air friction and other places) is 9.81. the initial...
  47. B

    Hydrolic calculations of fountain

    Sir, Guide me about calculation of hydrolics of fountain which is having throw of 60 feet and 90 feet with delivery pipe size of 50 mm. Regards Bankar
  48. Ben Wilson

    A Getting Started with CASTEP: Installing & Configuring for DFT Calculations

    Hi guys, I'm trying to use the CASTEP software for dft calculations. I have plenty of documentation on how to use it once it's all up and running, however I don't know how to get to that point :/ I'm not the best with linux but I've manually installed programs before through tarballs but here...
  49. A

    Calculations need to know if my drill will go through or not

    hi guys, i wanted to know all the calculations needed to to know if my electric drill will drill through a wall or not?
  50. E

    How many divisions will the traces differ in this oscilloscope calculation?

    Homework Statement V1 = 10cos(10^4t) V2 = 5cos(10^4t + pi/3) Time Base setting = 0.1msec/div By how many divisions will these two traces differ? Homework Equations W = 2pi/T[/B] The Attempt at a Solution W = 2pi/T T = 2pi/W W = 10^4 T = 0.628 milliseconds 0.628milliseconds/(0.1msec/div) =...
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