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.

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  1. J

    I Calculation of the hour angle of the Sun

    Hi all, According to the sunrise equation, the hour angle of the sun at sunset is: cos H = -tan(a)tan(d) where H = the hour angle, a = latitude and d = solar declination angle. This equation says that H at sunset = -H at sunrise. Now, I have a few questions concerning that: 1) I was...
  2. B

    I with a Rigid Pendulum Calculation please

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  3. bruha

    I Stellar reddening via Av calculation

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  4. Mzzed

    Decaying current power calculation

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  5. F

    Calculating Heat Loss in Pipes with Air Flow and Water Surrounding

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  6. G

    Damped oscillation of a car on a road: velocity calculation

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  7. F

    Is my Centroid Calculation Correct?

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  8. G

    Airflow Calculation Help: Velocity, Temp, Pressure, Diameter

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  9. K

    Self teaching basic average shear stress calculation

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  10. psy

    Calculation of the electric field strength

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  11. M

    Power signal calculation using Parseval's Theorem

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  12. psy

    B Calculating Orbital Radius for Hydrogen Atom with Given Angular Velocity

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  13. EEristavi

    Calculation of limit. L'Hopital's rule

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  14. R

    Spring deflection load calculation for excavator

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  15. Anachronist

    B Non-ferrous solenoid actuator -- Force calculation

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  16. O

    Threshold voltage calculation of a CMOS gate

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  17. Arman777

    EM waves -- Energy Calculation

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  18. Mr Real

    B Understanding Probability: Why Do We Divide by 2 in Certain Situations?

    I recently read a question. It was: If 100 birds are sitting in a circle and all of them peck a bird either on their left or on their right randomly, what's the expected number of birds that will be unpecked? The answer to this is 25 birds as probability of not being pecked is 25%. The logic...
  19. Mackay Scanland

    Calculate Water Leak From Hot Water System - Pipes, Pressure & More

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  20. S

    Calculation of Pressure in a Cylinder with an orifice on its surface

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  21. eigenmax

    Calculation of temperature of a current-carrying wire

    Hello, I'm working on an electron gun and I am wondering if there is a way to calculate the temperature of the hot cathode, from it's thickness, resistance, the amount of current running through it, or other relevant factors. This is part of an attempt to calculate the energy of the emittted...
  22. B

    Simple calculation about Magnetic induction

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Why does the second term become zero??
  23. M

    Reynolds Transport Theorem and Volume calculation

    I cannot understand the the relation between Reynolds Transport Theorem and Volume Calculation. Volume calculation is an simple, straightforward process which, I think, have much connection between Reynolds Transport Theorem. We calculate volumes in thermodynamics, heat transfer and fluid...
  24. K

    Calculate Keq: Room vs -78°C

    Homework Statement Hi, I have the following task: We have two conformers and the difference in energy between them is aprox. 1 Kcal/mol. What is the Keq at room temperature vs. at -78°C? Homework Equations Keq=e^(deltaG/(-R*T))The Attempt at a Solution I tried to solve the problem the...
  25. M

    Calculation of specific volumes

    Homework Statement 300 kPa pressure and v=0.5 m3/kg. The state is fixed. I should find the temperature and quality if defined. Table values for temperature T P vf vfg vg 130C 270.1kPa 0.001070...
  26. Mark Hamil

    MCNP Cylindrical Phantom Calculation Help

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  27. J

    B Naive Calculation of the Age of the Universe

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  28. Epoch

    Electricity: voltage calculation in serial

    Homework Statement Calculate the voltage U. The voltmeter gives a value of 80V. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] 3RI + 4RI - U = -80 How can I create a System of Linear equations if I have only one equation? Do I miss something? My answer sheet says U = 150V.
  29. W

    Calculation for a radial supply system

    Homework Statement [/B] Im working through my HNC with the answers but i do not know how they have come to the numbers below.Total load = 1.5/-60 degrees + 2.3/-18 degrees. =(0.75−j1.3)+(2.19−j0.71) 2. Homework Equations . Not sure yetThe Attempt at a Solution I understand how they have...
  30. W

    Voltage drop calculation for radial supply system

    Voltdrop calculations are made as shown below. Total loadLine currentI=1.5/−60∘⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯+2.3/−18∘⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ =(0.75−j1.3)+(2.19−j0.71) <<< (How to get to these numbers only from above??) =(2.94−j2.01 )=3.56/−34.4∘⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯MVA
  31. Epoch

    Electricity: shunt calculation for ammeter

    Homework Statement We have an ammeter with 20Ω resistance and a range of 10mA or 0.01A. The different ranges are 3000mA, 300mA, 30mA. Calculate the shunt resistors a, b and c. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Ia = 0.01A ; Ra = 20Ω ; I = 0.03A Ua = Ia ⋅ Ra = 0.01A ⋅ 20Ω =...
  32. B

    MHB Why Do I Get Negative Value Integrating y=-50e^-5x?

    Hello! And Good day! I just want to ask why do I keep getting a negative value whenever I take a definite integral of function $$y=-50e^{-5x}$$ the graph is shown as the first image. If you look at the graph of the integral of "y" there's no traceable negative value on the graph. Why is that...
  33. Epoch

    Electricity: ammeter range calculation

    Homework Statement [/B] An ammeter has a range of 10mA or 0.01A and a resistor of 20Ω. Three shunts are used: R1 = 4Ω ; R2 = 2Ω ; R3 = 4Ω What will the different ranges be (m3, m2, m1)? The Attempt at a Solution [/B] I started by calculating the voltage: Ua = Ia ⋅ Ra Ua = 0.01A ⋅ 20Ω =...
  34. Euler2718

    I Hypergeometric Distribution Calculation in Libreoffice

    Given this libreoffice command: HYPGEOM.DIST(X; NSample; Successes; NPopulation; Cumulative) >X is the number of results achieved in the random sample. >NSample is the size of the random sample. >Successes is the number of possible results in the total population. >NPopulation is the size...
  35. G

    Calculation of heat created during compression

    Homework Statement Hello, I have a task to make a heat balance of the evaporator. To do this, I was told to carry a few smaller energy balances in different parts of the evaporator. One of the things I had to calculate was the heat generated during steam compression. -steam is entering...
  36. F

    Carry over factor in beam calculation -- confusion

    Homework Statement I have several question regrading with this post . 1.) For BC and CB , we could see that it's far end pinned / roller supported , so , shouldn't be the K = (3/4)(EI / L ) ? 2.) I don't understand how the carry over factor works (in the second picture) Homework...
  37. Ridzuan

    What is the formula for calculating moment of inertia in RTG crane design?

    Hi guys... appreciate if somebody can help me on the design calculation of the RTG crane... I am stuck to understand the following formulas, used by MITSUBISHI to calculate as follow: 1. Moment of inertia for hoisting = [Lifting weight (kg) x Lifting velocity^2 (m/min)^2] / [π^2 x motor rpm^2]...
  38. rbsann

    Electric field calculation doubt (dipole)

    Hello all, i am having a hard time with EM, specially with the most simple concepts that i don't seem to grasp at all and the simple exercises that should be quite simple to solve. So the question is. ( i will omit the constant (1/4pieo) for practice sake When i calculate the eletric field...
  39. R

    Pressure drop calculation

    I have a pump running at 400rpm with 8" inlet and outlet with head 30 ft 500 gpm. Now I am planning to reduce the discharge line to 6" . Assuming the flow rate and speed constant the velocity in the pipe will increase. How do I calculate the change in head?
  40. Asmaa Mohammad

    Calculation of the least value of PD needed to produce x-rays

    Homework Statement [/B] In my excercise book, I was given a typical diagram as that in Fig (6-7) above. And the problem statement says: The diagram presents the x-ray spectrum produced by Coolidge tube. Determine the least potential difference needed to produce the characteristic radiation...
  41. T

    MHB Probability calculation with Bayesian Networks

    Given this base data (taken from Graphical Models )$P(C) = 0.5$ $P(\lnot C) = 0.5$ $P(R | C) = 0.8$ $P(R | \lnot C) = 0.2$ $P(\lnot R | C) = 0.2$ $P(\lnot R | \lnot C) = 0.8$ $P(S | C) = 0.1$ $P(S | \lnot C) = 0.5$ $P( \lnot S | \lnot C) = 0.5$ $P( \lnot S | C) = 0.9$ $P(W | \lnot S, \lnot...
  42. V

    PNP Transistor voltage calculation

    For the B) part, I don't get why is it that for calculating voltage between collector an the emitter (Vce) I take into account diode on base (0.7V), whereas for part A) it's ignored? Why is Vce in part A and part B are calculated differently? Why is it that in part A voltage of 0.7V isn't taken...
  43. D

    MHB Gravity Calculation: Calculate Accel Gravity

    public class GravityCalculation { public static void main (String [] args) { double G = 6.673e-11; double M = 5.98e24; double accelGravity = 0.0; double distCenter = 0.0; distCenter = 6.38e6; /* Your solution goes here */...
  44. A

    Synchronous Machine Voltage Curves & Torque Relation to Armature Current

    Hello everyone Im new on the forum and I just discovered what are sync machines... I have really basic question what I still cannot figure out.. I did some experiments with motor for different field currents and torques. In the result I measured armature currents and did V curves. But next...
  45. H

    Design Calculation and Sizing of a 500KVA Transformer

    I want to design the installation of a 500KVA Distribution Transformer to supply a neighborhood in Nigeria. The Existing National Grid voltage is 11KV. I want input from you guys to add to my sizing/costing. Inputs: 1. Sizing of XLPE Cable 2. Sizing of Transformer HV Protection ( Current Rating...
  46. A

    How Do I Calculate BTU Needs for Cooling an Enclosed Space?

    Hi all. I'm working on a small project and could use help. I have an 3/8" thick aluminum box that is going to be placed outside. The dimensions of the box are 33"x33"x33" and inside the box there is a 3/4 air gap on all sides that is covered with 1/8" hdpe platic walls. There will also be a...
  47. P

    Moment of Inertia Calculation for Offset Mass

    Ran into a bit of a dilemma. I'm having some problems calculating the moment of inertia for an offset weight configuration. Please see the attached drawing. Basically this offset weight will be turning around an axis as labeled in the drawing. Any help would be greatly appreciated
  48. K

    MHB How to Calculate Equilibrium Price with Given Information?

    I do not understand how to calculate the equilibrium price of an object. Say i have the following information how would i set up the information to solve for the price? Price of (Insert the name of your good or service) Quantity Demanded Quantity Supplied (in this order.) \$7.99, 35, 21...
  49. C

    I Control Moment Gyro - MOI calculation & units of measure

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  50. T

    Analytical Chemistry Concentration Calc Question

    A lab mate and I are discussing how to properly interpret LCMS results and coming to different conclusions. We are taking a solid food sample and extracting it with 50:50 acetonitrile/water to determine the concentration of melamine in the food sample. Standard solutions were made that range...
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