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. 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...
  2. 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...
  3. 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...
  4. I

    How to Calculate Wheel Cylinder Piston Travel for Drum Brakes?

    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...
  5. 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?
  6. 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...
  7. 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...
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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...
  11. 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...
  12. 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.
  13. 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...
  14. 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...
  15. 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
  16. 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...
  17. H

    Nichrome Wire Temperature Calculation

    Hey there, I've scouted this forum for years, and it's nice to have finally joined. :) I come to you with a problem. The objective is to find the correct voltage needed to heat air and another metal to a certain temperature, and then to maintain this certain temperature indefinitely within...
  18. JOHN daruwala

    Build a Go-Kart: Calculations & Planning

    so i am planning to build a go kart i have purchased the engine with following specs: power =8.2 KW (11.1 Ps) @8000 rpm torque= 11N-m @5000 rpm Calculations: rolling force=221 N drag force=26 N total tractive force=221+26=247N torque at wheel= 247 X 0.1 ( 20 cm wheels) = 24.7 then i...
  19. R

    Designing Rack and Pinion Gears: How Do I Calculate the Required Parameters?

    Hii, Can anyone help me in designing rack and pinion gears and their formulae...steering ratio of my steering=9.23 ,the load that on front =1500N...I.e.,load to move by pinion ,torque on pinion is 9Nm...that torque was caluclated based on tyre pressure ,friction between tyres,front axle...
  20. G

    Flux linkage in inductance calculation for single wire.

    Hello. Maybe this is the one of the most typical example in Electromagnetism textbook. There is a single round wire carrying current I (in D.C) with radius of R and length is infinity. From Ampere's law, the B field inside the wire is B = μIρ/2πR2 aθ where ρ is radial distance from...
  21. L

    What Is the Percent Yield from Aluminum to Potassium Alum?

    Here is the question: If 75.0 g of potassium alum is obtained from 5.00 g of aluminum, what is the percent yield? This is what I've done so far, but I'm not sure if it is fully correct: 5.00g Al x (1/26.98156) x (1/1) x 258.207 = 47.84882537g potassium alum Wouldn't this then be the...
  22. Foxyquik

    Solar array arrangement calculation method (not due south)

    Hi all, First time post, long time lurker, sorry if this is in the wrong section. I am currently looking at a project that requires a large solar panel array onto a very tight roof area; maximising space is therefore important. Thus, keeping the panels as close together is important. I have a...
  23. S

    How do I select a motor for a wire winding machine?

    I need to calculate the force required to pull a copper wire, please can anyone help for the same
  24. E

    Star Observation Calculation Homework

    Homework Statement The intensity of the Sun's radiation is about 1380 Wm-2 at Earth's distance, 1.5x1011m. Earth absorbs this radiation as a black body, and radiates its own energy back into space. a) How much Energy per second falls on the Earth's surface? (Diameter of Earth = 12800km) b)...
  25. C

    Hubble redshift and calculation of galactic rotation curves

    I am interested in whether it is necessary to account for the effects of the Hubble Redshift in determining the rotation velocities of galaxies exhibiting keplerian motion and, in particular, whether the associated spatial expansion of the Universe is known to result in spectral shifts that...
  26. Lance Fernandes

    Solve Phys Calculation Problems | Grade 10 GCSE Exams

    Okay, I've got a major problem. It's doing calculations in physics. Especially when it comes to electricity, momentum, force...I aways get stuck when doing the question paper. I LOVE partile physics and astrophysics, but I'm not really that good at everything else...and I'm scared that this is...
  27. K

    Understanding the MMX Calculation Problem: Vertical vs. Horizontal Analysis"

    Hi All, MMX has been discussed a lot but I could not find solution to my problem. So, I had to start a new thread on this subject! Sorry it is lengthy, you can just read the last paragraph (below red text) for short form. I was going through details of the calculations and have problem at one...
  28. B

    Work Hardening percentage calculation

    Plate previous cold-worked 20% is 50 mm thick. It is then cold-worked further to 33 mm. What is the total percent cold work? I know %CW= (Ao − Ad/ Ao) x 100 I know the answer should be 47.2%, but I don't get that. What are the first steps I need to take?
  29. S

    Calculating Net Work: A Box Being Pushed Across a Floor

    Homework Statement a box is pushed horizontally across a floor with a force of 70 N to the right. There is a friction force also acting on the box in the opposite direction of 18 N. if the box is displaced 8 meters. what is the net work done on the box? Homework Equations W(net)= Fd cos...
  30. MelkoRR

    Calculation of a comet orbiting Sun

    Homework Statement a comet is orbiting around the Sun in a parabolic orbit . center of the sun to perigee of the comet's orbit distance is 58 km . find the time required for the comet to transit into the Earth orbit around the sun . Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution no clue
  31. Ayesha Shafique

    Homework help: Distance and time calculation

    1. If a cyclist travels at 9 km/hour what distance will he cover in 30 seconds?2. a) 75 m b) 7.5 m c)15 m d) 150 m3. My guess is that its 75 m.
  32. A

    Calculation of different natural frequencies of a material

    Hi, As far as I know, every material has different sets of natural frequencies associated with it. For example, A simple one dimensional oscillator with stiffness "k" and mass "m" has a formula for calculating its natural frequency = 1/2pie*squareroot(k/m). I was wondering if there are...
  33. R

    Calculation for knowing duration of gas cylinder

    I know the total volume of a gas cylinder, the pressure in it, and the outlet pressure that needs to be maintained. The flow rate is also known. How should I calculate the total duration the cylinder will last? Also, what should vary if the cylinder is a liquidified gas cylinder?
  34. Byron Rogers

    Calculation of the volume of an ellipse cone

    I am trying to work out a formula for the approximate calculation of the lung capacity of a racehorse. http://performancegenetics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Horse.jpg I take three physical dimensions on the horse. 1) The measurement of the girth (which is the perimeter of an ellipse)...
  35. smruti

    Power Calculation: S=VI & V*I Meaning

    in the calculation of complex power S=VI we sometimes use S=VI* and sometimes as S=V*I.what is the physical significance of these two notations and in which case these two expression has different meaning?
  36. S

    Calculation of the energy from a pulse

    Hello I need help for a basic question (i am awful in physics) :confused: I have two capacitors in parallel when they are charged up (18.5 kV) they release the energy to a discharge device. The discharge device releases the energy in the form of electric pulses through two electrodes in a...
  37. E

    Efficiency calculation for solar cells

    Homework Statement Hi! I have a problem with the following problem: Calculate the efficiency of the solar cells with the characteristics given in the table below Power (28 degrees, BOL): 300 W/m2 Absorptance: <91 , emittance: >82. Reliability: 0.999 . Mass: 2 kg Homework Equations I know...
  38. M

    Impact force calculation of a Full Suspension Mountain Bike

    Hello Folks! I want to find the maximum applicable force on a full suspension mountain bike and i will use this force on a FEA software structural analysis for a uni design project. This bike has a rear suspension with 400 lbs/in spring rate.Also rear wheel vertical displacement(travel amount)...
  39. 2

    Supersonic wave and distance calculation

    To calculate the distance from a stationary visible object using the speed of sound when dealing with a supersonic blast wave from that object, how would one proceed? Is the standard 340m/s good enough reference? How is the velocity reduction over time and distance? Does all the variables...
  40. Matthew Titus

    Engineering Torque calculation to determine motor size

    < Mentor Note -- thread moved to HH from the technical engineering forums, so no HH Template is shown > Hi guy's this is my first post so forgive me if i leave anything out. I'm designing a solar tracking device that needs to be mounted on a roof and i need help calculating the torque required...
  41. aylakadamk

    Calculation of proton's lifetime

    Hi, In a Particle Physics class, our instructor requested me to calculate the life time of proton. There are some sources telling that its life time is ~10^32 years, however there are no basic calculations. There is this article about calculation...
  42. K

    MHB How Can I Calculate Call Traffic for Optimal Caller and Receiver Allocation?

    Hi, I'm in a bit of a fix with this problem and as such if someone were prepared to help me get to get to a point where I had a formula I can re-use I would be happy to pay a small bounty. Paypal donation, Amazon gift... something like that? My problem is one of calculating call traffic. I...
  43. Smirnoff103

    Calculate Car Impact Force on Steel Structure | Help Needed from Belgium

    Hello, I need to calculate the impact that a car (small car) has on a metal structure. What I know: The mass of the car : 99 kg, the velocity of the car : max 3 km / h -> 0,833333 m / s Thus the force of the car at 3 km / h is 82,5 Newton. Now I need to know how much that metal structure can...
  44. H

    Calculating Star and Planet Positions in the Night Sky: A Mathematical Approach

    Hello to all of you, my question is:how to calculate the star or planet position in night sky? give me a methemetical formula...
  45. A

    Where is my calculation of sun angle incorrect?

    Hi there, I hope this is the right place for this question and furthermore doesn't appear rude that my first post is a question! If so, I do apologise, I haven't been able to find an appropriate place to ask this. I'm working on calculating the position of the sun at a given day of the year for...
  46. C

    Cross-flow Heat Exchanger 2 phase calculation

    Hi all! I'm working on a project of heating water from exhaust gases of kamin's chimney. I have a cross flow heat exchanger (see pdf). we have done calculations of heat transfer rate and the outlet temerature of the water, and got 150C. so it probably gets boiled somewhere inside the HX. I need...
  47. M

    Calculating Axle Loads for a Firefighter Vehicle: A Statics Problem

    Hi, my name is Goran and I have a physics/mechanics problem. I'm a 3D artist and I do 3D CAD or non CAD models for a company I work at. New job I got is basically a engineer because I'm about to get my mechanical engineering degree, but it has been a long time I actually calculated something so...
  48. R

    What is the percentage uncertainty in V when L1-L2 is 30?

    Homework Statement My homework question says: the uncertainty in length 1 is +/- 0.1 and in length 2 is +/- 0.1 : calculate the percentage uncertainty in V where V L1-L2 is 30Homework Equations V= (1/(L1-L2))^0.5 where L is the length[/B]The Attempt at a Solution So what I did was add...
  49. D

    Hoyle's calculation of 7.65 MeV level of carbon nucleus

    Mass of helium-4 (4.0015 u) plus mass of beryllium-8 (8.0053 u) gives 12.0068 u, which is 6.35 MeV above fundamental level of carbon-12. For triple alpha process T= 100 MK, which corresponds to a kinetic energy of 2 x 3/2 kBT = 0.03 MeV for the particles. This amounts to 6.38 MeV, way below 7.65...
  50. J

    Simplifying Complex Calculation

    Calculate ( minus ( 2 over 3 ) + ( 2 over 3 ) i ) to the power minus 4, simplifing your answer and giving it in the form a + i b, with a and b given exactly.I found the modulus by: sqrt((-2/3)^2 + (2/3)^2) = (2*sqrt(2))/3 the argument is: pi - 1 (from a sketch in the complex plane) hence...
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