Calculation Definition and 1000 Threads

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. S

    Q3.10: Power Calculation w/ Reduction Gear

    Homework Statement : [/B] Qstn no. 3.10 in the attached image. [ Moderator note: Copy of relevant portion of attachment inserted to make it visible here] Homework Equations : For power calculation, [/B] Power = torque * angular velocity... Also, reduction gear is used to deliver lower outout...
  2. Z

    Whats wrong with this calculation?

    Homework Statement Problem in evaluating a single variable equation Homework Equations (10 + x)/ (40+x) * 100 = 60The Attempt at a Solution (1)[/B] (10 + x)/ (40+x) * 100 = 60 1000 + 100x = 2400 + 60x 100x -60 x = 2400-1000 40x = 2300 x= fractional value (2) However if i solve it using: (10 +...
  3. Z

    Automotive Calculation of energy storage system for PEV

    Hi, My teacher asked that i should design a efficient energy storage system for a plug-in electric vehicle. I have no idea how i can use some equations for designing this type of car. The requirements are in below; Test cycle range: 140 miles Test cycle energy: 260Wh/mile at the output of the...
  4. G

    Pipe Flow Calculation: GPM Through Pipe Level Section

    I used to have a slide chart that gave gpm through a level section of pipe (1/2" - 6") by measuring how long the exit stream was when it had dropped 4". Imagine a framing square with the blade on the pipe and the tongue hanging down in the stream. Slide the square out until the stream is...
  5. F

    Double Integral: Error in Calculation?

    Homework Statement I have calculate my double integral using wolfram alpha , but i get the ans = 312.5 , but according to the book , the ans is = 0 , which part of my working is wrong Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Or is it z =0 , ? i have tried z = 0 , but still didnt get the...
  6. B

    I Including Coulomb interaction in a free energy calculation

    Hi everyone! I am trying to create a crude electron-hopping model to study conductivity in a biological wire composed of discrete sites. The model is pretty simple: imagine a line composed of sites. Electrons can hop from site to site with probabilities that depend on the free energy difference...
  7. A

    Calculation of heat loss by Degree C/minute.

    Hi i was thinking about how to calculate the temperature lost by Degree Celsius per minute and was wondering if you had the surface area of the object, its initial temperature, a constant flow rate of air around the object and probably also need some coefficient of heat loss based on the...
  8. F

    Wien bridge amplitude calculation

    Hi all! How can I set up the amplitude of a wien bridge oscillator made like this? Let's suppose that the bottom resistances are (from top to bottom) R1, R2 and R3. We know that for oscillations to start and converge we need: R1 / R3 > 2 (let's suppose 2.2) (R1 || R2) / R3 < 2 (let's...
  9. Jhon Paul

    How Do You Calculate Frequency and Power for an Induction Heater?

    I would like to get a clue of how to arrive at the power and frequency for an Induction heater. I am planning to heat a graphite rod upto 1200 degC and also to provide a heat flux of 1 MW/m2. The graphite rod dimension will be for one case Dia 5 and length 100 mm and in the second case will be...
  10. T

    MHB What is the Exact Amount My Friend Owes Me for Our 50% Partnership Investment?

    Hi, It's a real life math question and this seems the best place to ask. Me and my friend started a business together on 50% partnership bases. (cost divided by both and profit shared by both). My friend was lacking some money, so I added additional amount to cover his share. It's a garments...
  11. B

    Why is this calculation of the enthelpy of combustion wrong?

    Homework Statement A 1.250 g sample of ##C_8H_18## is burnt with excess oxygen in a bomb calorimeter. Change in temperature is from 294.05 K to 300.78 K. If heat capacity of the calorimeter is 8.93 kJ/K. Find the heat transferred to the calorimeter. Also calculate the enthalpy of combustion of...
  12. P

    Thermistors calculation of base resistance

    Using the regression eqn. Find the base resistance of the thermistor. Find the temp. Of the boiling water using this eqn. Y=1.54e^-0.059x How do I go about solving this problem
  13. Z

    I Confusion with Lagrangian function in a calculation example

    There is waterpipe with smooth interior wall as shown in the figure.The curve of waterpipe could be describe as function ##q_y=f(q_x)##. A ball going through this pipe was put at ##O## point with zero initial speed.At the point ##(q_x,q_y)##,the speed of the ball could be decomposed as...
  14. K

    Calculating Horizontal Forces in a Stream of Sand Impacting a Wall

    Homework Statement "A stream of sand moving at 4 m/s is directed horizontally eat against a wall at a rate of 120 kg per minute. If the sand falls vertically downward after impact, find the horizontal force exerted by the wall on the sand, and the horizontal force exerted by the sand on the...
  15. P

    Compressive strength calculation

    Homework Statement Fracture load = 56000lb Radius=3 in Compressive strength = (F/pi*(r)^2) CS=630psi I was wondering if I did it right. Thanks
  16. R

    Can't Identify Error in Calculation

    [Mentor's note: This thread was moved to the homework section from General Physics, so it doesn't use the template.] Going over a basic kinematics problem with the prompt stating vi=0, x=1000m and Δt=5 and vf and a need to be solved using average v and a. Calculated vf=200ms and a=40m/s/s. But...
  17. A

    Why Is My Valve Exhaust Port Calculation Different?

    Hi, I am following this particular article from machinedesign.com about properly sizing a pneumatic system - http://machinedesign.com/archive/right-sizing-pneumatic-motion-systems In the section Valve Exhaust Port, he does a calculation for the valve loss coefficient and arrives at 1.833 cfm...
  18. F

    Vehicle speed calculation from pedestrian throw distance

    How can we calculate the speed of a vehicle from pedestrian throw distance ? If the weight of a vehicle is 1220 kg and a pedestrian's weight is 72 kg. Throw distance is 20.70 meters.
  19. john101

    How to Calculate Pressure Exerted by C in a Lever and Fulcrum Configuration?

    as B moves to over A, ( A is a fixed point ) C slides up its guide slot and is stopped by a non compressible object and no amount of force can shift it further up. measurements in units. At this point >> how do I know how much pressure C excerts upwards. psi? Mpa? I hope I'm making myself...
  20. D

    Torque Calculation without a gauge

    Hi How can I measure, shaft power (watts or HP) of a vertical turbine using dead weight blocks Turbine diameter - 18 inches RPM - 450 ( Zero Load)
  21. R

    Resistance calculation on right angle current flow

    As you know, resistance of a rectangular shape is given by R=ρ A/L But how do we theoretically calculate the resistance of the bottom case? ( now, the current flow is not parrallel, current flows from bottom through the right side) I would like to know if there is any references for this...
  22. A

    Calculation of water flow rate in heat exchanger

    I am not a mechanical engineer; but I have physics background. I want to lift about 250 watts of heat from a metal block. At the same time I have to maintain its temperature at 30 deg Cel. For this I want to use water-air heat exchanger (HE). Heat exchanger will have inlet & outlet pipes. Hot...
  23. K

    A Calculation of magnetic moment of an atom in the compound

    How is it calculated from magnetic susceptibility measurements using the mass of the sample? I know only this formula https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_moment#Magnetic_moment_of_an_atom, but there is no mass, only quantum numbers.
  24. Kickboxer

    I DIY Heavy Bag Base Calculation: How Much Weight Do You Need to Prevent Toppling?

    I haven't got a clue about where to start with this! I'm building a freestanding heavy bag. Since I live in an apartment I can't hang my bag, so I've decided to build a base to slip my bag onto. I have the materials but not the knowledge. Can someone please help me figure out what the base...
  25. BiGyElLoWhAt

    Moment of inertia tensor calculation and diagonalization

    Homework Statement Not sure if this is advanced, so move it wherever. A certain rigid body may be represented by three point masses: m_1 = 1 at (1,-1,-2) m_2 = 2 at (-1,1,0) m_3 = 1 at (1,1,-2) a) find the moment of inertia tensor b) diagonalize the matrix obtaining the eigenvalues and the...
  26. L

    Tensor Calculation & Lorentz Transformation: Understanding Relations

    Hi, I have trouble understanding why the following relations hold true. Given the Minkowski metric \eta_{\alpha\beta}=diag(1,-1,-1,-1) and the line segment ds^2 = dx^2+dy^2+dz^2, then how can i see that this line segment is equal to ds^2 = \eta_{\alpha\beta}dx^\alpha dx^\beta . Further, we...
  27. L

    Fraction calculation, can't find mistake

    Homework Statement I did some homework and wolfram alpha afterwards gave different result than what I have. Apparently I must have done some error, but I couldn't find error after I doublechecked about two times. So I decided to see if you guys can find an error. And what is the correct answer...
  28. D

    Calculation of atmospheric presure

    Homework Statement Taking atmospheric pressure at sea level to be 1x10^5 pa CPa and the density of air at sea level to be about 1.2kg/m^3,estimate the atmospheric pressure in London 550m above sea level. For this calculation, it is easiest to assume that air density doesn’t change with height...
  29. nysnacc

    Earth orbit -- geosynchronous orbit calculation

    Homework Statement Homework Equations ε= r_max - r_min / r_max + r_min = r*v2 / gRE The Attempt at a Solution I first find that 1 revolution is 2π rad , the angular velocity ω = 2π rad / 24h = π/43200 rad /s so v = rω where r is the unknown ε = 0 (circular orbit) r*(rω)2 / g RE = 0Correct...
  30. I

    Help with spring stiffness calculation (k)

    Hi I was given the following problem in my coursework: Homework Statement "A spring is initially compressed by 50mm when a steel ball of mass 2kg is released from just being in contact with the uncompressed spring. Determine the spring stiffness (k) of the spring." Homework Equations F = mg...
  31. C

    Is the Calculation of Strain Due to Own Weight Correct?

    Homework Statement for the elongation due to its own weight , i suspect the calculation of elonation due to its own weight is wrong ... Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I think it should be (3456.3825)(75) / (300x10^-6)(200x10^3) = 4320m = 4320x10^3 mm , right ? [/B]
  32. T

    Removing a crane cylinder, force calculation

    Hi I'm working on a project out in the North Sea on an oil rig, we need to remove a hydraulic cylinder from a crane, I have attached a drawing the red cylinder B needs to be removed. To do this we will move the crane boom to the position shown by the orange lines and rest the end down on the...
  33. N

    A Expectation operation for covariance calculation

    Hi, If E[wwH]=T, where w is a zero-mean row-vector and H is the Hermitian transpose then assuming that H is another random matrix, it holds that E[H w (H w)H] = T H HH or T E[H HH] ?? In other words, the expectation operation still holds as in the latter expression or vanishes as in the...
  34. P

    MHB Can the Probability of a Number Being a Product of Primes be Calculated?

    I am not a mathematician but enjoy studying the primes as a mechanical system. Regrettably I don't have the tools (and perhaps the intellect) for some jobs. I've spent some time trying to calculate the probability of a number being a product of each successive prime as the number line is...
  35. M

    How Accurate Is the Saturation Index Calculation With Excess Calcium?

    I have a question about calculating solubilities of sparingly soluble salts. Eg Ksp CaF2 = 4 x 10-11 So, Saturation Index of CaF2 is: SICaF2 = IP / Ksp Where IP = Ionic Product = [Ca2+] x [F-]2 [Ca2+] and [F-] are molar concentrations of each ion. Example: We have 400 ppm Ca and 12 ppm...
  36. UrSleyeNess

    Reduction Gearbox Calculation question

    If Have have the torque needed to turn the input shaft of a 500:1 Gearbox with no load, can that information allow me to calculate the opposite. I want to know the torque required to turn the output shaft. What I mean is, if you were to apply the force to the output shaft. In other words, use...
  37. F

    Why Can't Scalars and Matrices Be Added in Pauli Matrix Calculations?

    Homework Statement Hey :-) I just need some help for a short calculation. I have to show, that (\sigma \cdot a)(\sigma \cdot b) = (a \cdot b) + i \sigma \cdot (a \times b) The Attempt at a Solution I am quiet sure, that my mistake is on the right side, so I will show you my...
  38. A

    Clebsch-Gordan coefficients calculation

    Homework Statement So i have to calculate the Clebsch-gordan coefficients for the state j1=3/2 and j2=1/2[/B]Homework Equations Recursiom formula, lowering and uppering operator[/B]The Attempt at a Solution I have tried to calculate the first set of the coefficients stating that: L- l2,2> =...
  39. a_c_e

    Gas Spring and Linear Actuator calculation....

    May I start by saying hello to all and that I have visited the site before, but have yet to create an account until now. With that said, I am having difficulty calculating proper numbers for a project I am designing. Mind you, it has been about seven years since I was in any physics or...
  40. E

    How Is the Total Maximal Elastic Energy Calculated in This System?

    Homework Statement Given the scheme https://www.dropbox.com/s/nm943gleo2nc8ft/Screenshot%202016-08-28%2013.47.33.png?dl=0 Springs' constant k=40 N\m mass of bulk m=6kg The wooden bulk is released at rest when all the springs are not stretched Question: What is the elastic total maximal Energy...
  41. gonadas91

    A Calculate NRG: Spectral Function for Anderson Model

    Hi there! I've recently performed and NRG code to study one impurity model, related to the Anderson model. I want to calculate the density of states (spectral function) but I don't know if I am doing things right. Since after some iterations we need to truncate the number of eigenstates of the...
  42. R

    A Calculating GPS Uncertainty for a Bicycle Trip

    Let's say I have a GPS unit that reports an "accuracy" (this is what the GPS device reports as the uncertainty in the measurement of position) of 15ft. I travel some distance, with the GPS reporting a position every second. At the end of 1000 seconds I arrive at my destination. For the sake...
  43. F

    Operator, eigenstate, small calculation

    Hello :-) I have a small question for you :-) 1. Homework Statement The Operator e^{A} is definded bei the Taylor expanion e^{A} = \sum\nolimits_{n=0}^\infty \frac{A^n}{n!} . Prove that if |a \rangle is an eigenstate of A, that is if A|a\rangle = a|a\rangle, then |a\rangle is an...
  44. A

    Positive Sequence Resistance and Reactance calculation

    Hi, I have following two parameters with me a) Maximum three phase fault current in amperes (A) and phase angle in degrees (B). I want to calculate the positive sequence resistance (R) and reactance (X) from above two variables for a symmetric system. I couldn't figure out a way to find R and...
  45. Lebombo

    B Calculator automatic rounding is screwing up my calculation.

    Hi, When I type into my calculator 13.6/(1.000000001) the calculator returns the answer 13.59999999 Then, when I type 13.6/(1.0000000001) the calculator returns the answer 13.6. Obviously, both 13.6/(1.0000000001) and 13.6/1 cannot equal 13.6, so what's the deal with the calculator...
  46. R

    Calculating Gearbox Torque for Rotating a 500kg Load with a Handwheel Setup

    Hi team In my one of the application I have to use the gear box to rotate 500 kg load I have to use handwheel to rotate I am using the formula Torque= force x per. Distance x coefficient of friction = 500x.7x.8 : 2800 Nm Is it correct to calculate the torque I have attached the image for...
  47. M

    Fallrate Calculation: Constant Upward Force

    I'm trying to figure out how fast an object will fall/accelerate with a constant upward force applied to it. For instance, a 100 lb object with a 25 lb upward force applied to it. Would it fall/accelerate at the same speed as a 75 lb object?
  48. S

    MHB Applying quadratic formula to inverse of a function: Calculation problem

    Hi - I'm trying to figure out the specific steps in a math textbook. I'm trying to figure out how the textbook did its algebra here with a quadratic formula to find an inverse of a function: Sadly there's a step I'm supposed to know by now in the simplification algebra in there 3 steps...
  49. H

    A About band structure calculation

    My question is more general but I explain it by a simple example i.e. graphene and tight binding method. I solved energy dispersion of graphene with tight binding by the two ways: First, I took graphene as a lattice with the two basis atoms A and B. In the second way, I took graphene as a...
  50. L

    MHB Calculation of concentration unit

    I would like some help in working out the correct unit of concentration in the question below please. I added a substance which has a density of 1.020 kg/m3 to a sample at a rate of 800 uL/ L of sample The substance is also 60% w/w. Will the final concentration in the sample be in 490 ug/L or...
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