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. G

    Torque calculations: Rotating vertical shaft

    I apologize in advance for any errors in my concepts or assumptions. Feel free to correct me wherever I am wrong. Thanks in advance for the help. There is a vertical shaft which will be operated at around 600 rpm (N) which can be achieved in 2 seconds (or even 4 just an assumption). The shaft...
  2. J

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  3. Ozen

    Help With Understanding Thrust Calculations (rifle muzzle brake)

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  4. KyleGranger

    Basic MOSFET Thermal Design: Parameter Calculations from Datasheet

    I would like to be able to determine the current through a device for a given junction temperature. I am looking at a datasheet and notice that it gives the device power dissipation with different case temperatures. Since the maximum junction temperature is 175 C, I believe that means that lower...
  5. E

    Unit calculations - DWI MRI (Stejskal-Tanner)

    Ok, so basically my task is to calculate the apparent diffusion D based on experimental data, which is kind of easy, BUT the problem is with unit of b... Gamma is gyromagnetic ratio and can be expressed as: (s*T)-1 or MHz/T --> but I am not so sure, teacher did not specify Delta is the pulse...
  6. N

    Source Level calculations of an Underwater Cylindrical Acoustic Array

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  7. K

    Concept subsea PHES system, /advice with calculations

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  8. S

    Stiffness by pressure calculations

    Inflatable SUP boards, LEI kites, Inflatable kayaks, and so on get their stiffness by having two layers of airtight materials separated by pressurized air. And it gets stiffer the higher pressure you can contain, or by increasing the separation between the materials. The simplest way to look at...
  9. K

    I Calculations to prove the non-Euclidean nature of 3-D space

    In Anthony French's book, Newtonian Mechanics, while explaining the non-Euclidean nature of the 3-d space, he poses a problem (I have rephrased it slightly): Suppose you are on Earth's equator (r = 6,400 km) at the prime meridian (point I). You first walk along the equator 1000 miles east and...
  10. M

    Heat pump efficiency calculations - Compressor power issue

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  11. Arman777

    A Tensorial calculations - Best computational Language

    I have given a metric in terms of the spherical coordinates ##(r, \theta, \phi)##. The problem is that I need to find the Riemann/Ricci Tensor and Riccl Scalar from the given metric by using code. I wonder what type of language (such as Python, Mathematica, Matlab, etc.) I should use it to make...
  12. Arman777

    Tensor Calculations given two vectors and a Minkowski metric

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  13. rayjbryant

    Engineering Need help verifying symbolic calculations for an FBD statics problem

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  14. S

    ARPES calculations on graphene

    Consider the attached screenshot. The work function of graphene is assumed to be 4.5 eV. 1. Does the work function correspond to the binding energy ##E_B## as given on Wikipedia? What is ##E## in ##E−E_F## in the graph on the right? 2. "...the Fermi level at the K-point..."; is this the point...
  15. M

    Condenser calculations - uncertainty

    A water cooled plate condenser, condensing refrigerant. Heat exchanger (condenser with plates) characteristics: Description symbol value value (converted) number of plates np 28 number of channels nc 27 number of water channels nwc 14 number of flowing channels for refrigerant...
  16. S

    How to do the calculations for a Wheatstone Bridge

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  17. L

    B Nuclear fusion question -- Calculations for Hydrogen fusing into Helium

    I read in 2 books that 4 atoms of Hydrogen fuse and give 1 atom of Helium and 2 electrons, and these 2 electrons convert to light. And that the mass of the Helium is less than the mass of the 4 atoms of Hydrogen, thus that the mass lost converted to light too. But I sum up the masses of...
  18. P

    Chemistry Need Help with Bond Length Calculations of Acetylene

    Hey! I am trying to determine the bond length of acetylene by analysing the vibrational spectrum of both H-Acetylene and D-Acetylene. I was able to calculate both the rotational constant and the moment of inertia but am stuck now as to how I get to the correct solution. On the left is the...
  19. teun-lll

    Snail Cam shaft torque calculations

    Hello, Im trying to calculate the torque needed for a system that i want to design. i want to raise and drop a weight of 800 kg. Ive made some calculation but I am not certain i did it right. I think I am on the right track but i feel like the numbers are a bit high. I have a hard time finding...
  20. Strange07

    Calculations for the movement of a light beam reflected by a mirror

    The only knowledge I have about such reflection questions is theta=2theta. But I missed class when this was thought. Please I need help and guide
  21. L

    Help with linear solenoid calculations (engine valve actuators)

    Hello, thanks in advance, I do many many things, jack of all trades but master of none. Would some one be willing to help me with some formulas and calcs for making my own linear solenoid? I can give the final specs I'm after then I could use advice on materials and other variables. I'd like...
  22. I

    Comp Sci Calculations regarding slow-start strategy (TCP congestion control)

    Like I said, I was taught during the TCP congestion control lecture what is the slow-start strategy, how it works & looks in a very high level, we never saw anything related to parameters and calculations, and after the test she gave the entire class a bonus of 35 points because she knew it...
  23. PhysicsTest

    Power calculations of AC signal

    The below are the formulas i have seen from the book, but no particular formula for the peak power Instantaneous power ##p(t) = v(t) i(t) W## ->eq1 Average power ##p(t)_{avg} = \frac{\int_{t_0}^{t_0+T} p(t)dt} T W## ->eq2 a. Instantaneous power ##v(t) =A\sin(\omega t)## ->eq3 ##i(t) =...
  24. Chriz3223

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    Hi Physics! And again, thanks for the membership! I’m about to build a robot just with some old parts I have. The main thing is the motors. I have 2 DC Motors Specs below. (It’s a MFA975D Series with gear ratio 49:1) Operation range(Voltage): 12V No load = 147RPM Nm = 1,8 Stall Torque =...
  25. B

    I What kx/ky Values Are Used for Graphene Band Structure Plots?

    Hello, https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Top-Graphene-nanoribbons-with-zigzag-left-and-armchair-right-edges-with-disordered_fig1_258105786 With what kx/ky values are these band structures plotted? The energy dispersion of graphene is given by this , yet I am confused to what kx/ky value...
  26. G

    Construction Column load bearing calculations

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  27. S

    Geroler Motor Displacement Calc | Hobby Project

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  28. E

    Designing a 600 kg Lifter: Calculating Power Needs

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  29. C

    Looking for formulations used in sea level calculations

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  30. yucheng

    B Significant figures for special functions (square roots)

    I am using square roots, however, I am confused over how many significant figures (s.f.) to keep. Suppose I have ##\sqrt{3.0}##, which has 2 s.f. From three different sources, I'll put a summary in brackets: https://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/downloads/signfig.pdf (if 2 s.f. in the data...
  31. R

    MHB Square feet calculations assistance

    Hi all :) Can't find an online calculator to properly do this. I know basic sqft - if I have a room that is 12x12, the sqftg is 144. Easy. But... I am retiling the shower in my bathroom. Three walls, and not the ceiling nor the floor. I need to speak sqft to the tile store. Two of the walls...
  32. Frabjous

    Geometry Calculations with tensors in modern notation

    Is there a book that emphasizes performing calculations with tensors in modern notation?
  33. PhysicsTest

    Power calculations for an AC network

    The voltage and current are given as ##v(t) = 359.3\sin(\omega t + 15) volts ## and current is ## i(t) = 100\cos(\omega t + 5) ##. My question here is do i need to convert the voltage into cos terms or current into sin terms. suppose if i convert the voltage into cos terms, the calculations will...
  34. FEAnalyst

    Complex frames - analytical calculations

    Hi, I came across some interesting frames recently. Here they are: I wonder if all these frames can be solved analytically. If yes then how to do it ? Examples a) and d) are planar frames with diagonal members while b) and c) are spatial frames: b is subjected to uniformly distributed load...
  35. M

    Help with flywheel / clutch calculations

    Hey everyone, I have a problem with sizing a clutch for my machine. My problem is, I don't know how to calculate the needed value (Nm) for the clutch to withstand the torque affected by the flywheel. I have a flywheel that weighs 90kg and is 600mm in diameter. It is rotating at 500rpm...
  36. S

    Understanding i(t) and v(t) Calculations

    I think i(t)= i1f + i2f -ig. I want to be sure of it and I also need to compute v(t), but I don't know how to.
  37. Yokoko

    Chemistry Please confirm my Activity Coefficient Calculations

  38. S

    Steam boiler efficiency calculations

    Summary:: I'm going through my homework. I am confident I have everything correct except for my boiler efficiency. It seems too high at 99%. I would like to think my logic is sound but it can't be right. A boiler is designed to generate steam at 5 MPa and 400oC. A fuel is selected with a...
  39. shk

    Motion problem -- Calculations given the v(t) graph of a person jumping

    Hi I have answered the question and have attached my working . I'm not very sure about part b. I generally need someone to check my working and let me know if I've made a mistake. Thanks
  40. FEAnalyst

    Plastic bending - analytical calculations

    Hi, I have a question regarding plastic bending of beams (assuming bilinear elastoplastic material - with or without hardening) . In literature one can find calculations of load capacity for those beams. But what else can be calculated in such case ? Stresses ? Deflection ? Where can I find...
  41. Yokoko

    Chemistry Help with mol and volume calculations - Cram's rule

    Am I right to assume that the equivalents for phenyl magnesium bromide would be 3 (magnesium, bromobenzene and ether (?)) And the number for 2-phenyl-propanal 1 as it says "...was added to 2-phenylpropionaldehyde" which is the same thing as 2-phenylpropanal? I don't know if I understood this...
  42. FEAnalyst

    Fatigue life hand calculations based on static FEA results

    Hi, advanced FEA programs allow their users to perform fatigue analyses. However, there are still many programs where such simulations can't be performed. I've heard that in such case one can use results obtained from regular linear static FEA to calculate fatigue life manually. Theoretically...
  43. S

    Explosive Nucleosynthesis Yields - Abundance Calculations

    If we consider for Oxygen: - Using the solar values from Anders and Grevesse, where O_⊙ = 8.51e-04 and Si_⊙ = 3.55e-05 (abundances number relative to H). - Using the explosion model 40A from Maeda+2003 (Table 2), we know the ejecta mass (in solar units) for: oxygen-16 = 5.99 oxygen-17 =...
  44. N

    Using Complex Impedances in these RLC Circuit Calculations

  45. Nathan M

    Understanding frequency calculations of an object (e.g human body)

    Apologies for the noob question. The frequency of the human body can be calculated based on weins law as follows: Wavelength = 0.002898/310 = 0.00000934838 m Plugging this into the equation λν = c we get frequency = 299792458 / 0.00000934838 = 32069 Ghz Elsewhere, I see that the resonant...
  46. T

    How Do You Calculate a Hohmann Transfer Orbit for a Mars Mission?

    I cannot understand the solution at https://www.aapt.org/physicsteam/2015/upload/E3-2-5-solutions.pdf, because the solution is terse and skip steps (at least i think so). I figured out that the name of this transfer is "Hohmann-Transfer Orbit". A detailed walkthrough would be appreciated. If I...
  47. Schwann

    I Linearity of power spectral density calculations

    I have a question related to linearity of power spectral density calculation. Suppose I have a time series, divided into some epochs. If I compute PSD by Welch's method with a time window equal to the length of an epoch and without any overlap, I obtain this result: If I calculate the...
  48. A

    A DFT calculations for metal oxide semiconductors and graphene oxide

    I am doing experimental research on metal oxide semiconductors and graphene oxide, I also want to do some theoretical analysis. I am new in theoretical, so I need guidance how to proceed with the simple calculations, like DFT. Is there any authentic book with examples? and also is there any...
  49. siddharth23

    Air surge tank calculations

    I am going to be working on some calculations for an air surge tank to minimize fluctuations downstream of the tank in an engin'e intake syste, Any suggestions/sources where I could study for this? Thank you!
  50. J

    Some Flight Calculations and the Motion of the Earth

    A Problem is posed for a flight from Melbourne to Cairns. Using the formula for rotational speed at latitude - 1) The latitude of Melbourne is approx 38 degrees south with a rotation velocity of 820 miles/hr 2) The latitude of Cairns is approx 17 degrees south with a rotation velocity of 994...
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