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. llha

    I [Quantum Computing] Quantum Parallelism State Calculation

    Hi, I'm going through Nielsen and Chuang's Quantum Computation and Quantum Information textbook and I don't really understand this part about quantum parallelism: Shouldn't the resulting state be (1/sqrt(2^4)) * (|0, f(0)> + |0, f(1)> + |1, f(1)> + |1, f(0)>), since the resulting state would...
  2. chwala

    Solving this rate of decay problem -- Mass loss calculation

    My interest is on question ##11.ii## only. I think there is a mistake on the markscheme...i just need a second opinion on this...find attached the question and markscheme... markscheme here: it ought to be, ##e^{0.0277t}=1.6797##
  3. B

    Trouble with Plasma Frequency Calculation

    This would appear to be a straightforward algebra problem, but it just doesn't pass the smell test for me. The issue might be with the number of electrons per cubic meter, as that was calculated in a previous problem, so let me know if that number seems wrong. My plasma frequency (##\nu##) not...
  4. DarkoX

    Advice on pressure drop calculation

    Hello everyone, I would appreciate any help with my task I am struggling to resolve. I need to calculate or simulate pressure drop when got the following parameters: 1. Supply pressure: 45barg. 2. Pipe Length: 80 meters 3. Pipe diameter: OD - 10mm, ID - 8mm. 4. Pipe material: stainless steel...
  5. shahbaznihal

    A Galaxy statistics calculation in Saslaw's book

    I am trying to follow a calculation from the book of William C. Saslaw, The Distribution of the Galaxies: Gravitational Clustering in Cosmology. The calculation is shown on the pages following page 122 in chapter 14 where the author talks about the Correlation function. I am able to reproduce...
  6. S

    Calculation of orbital velocity -- Geometrical solution

    Hello, I would like to calculate the orbital velocity using the geometrical way of reasoning. But I have a hard time to understand and apply some basics into my calculations. The reasoning is pretty simple. After some time: dt ,the particle travels the distance: Vtot1 * dt = R*sinθ (see the...
  7. mountainchicken46

    How to Calculate Required Torque for Mini Servo on Slider?

    how to calculate the required torque for the mini servo to move the load on slider?
  8. L

    Calculation on spontaneous fission and effect from alpha decay

    Summary:: Help needed on how to calculate on spontaneous fission and effect from alpha decay Heat from alpha decay from Pu-238 is used to generate direct current. At the beginning (1977) it generated 470W, how large is the effect now? And if the efficiency between the electricity and heat...
  9. Viky1147

    A Granular convection (particle distribution) calculation

    Hi All, Am new here came particularly hoping for some guidance I need to calculate theoretically, how different types of particles (shown below) distribute in a granular convection Condition: Large surface or open surface Types of particles: 1) Low volume, Low density particle 2) High...
  10. K

    A Calculation of an amplitude using the Grassmannian approach (amplituhedron)

    In the following review paper on scattering amplitudes, by Elvang and Huang: https://arxiv.org/abs/1308.1697 they calculate the amplitude for 6 particles with half of positive helicity and half of negative helicity in section 9.3.2. Their matrix C (a point in the relevant Grassmannian) is...
  11. Z

    DeltaG and DeltaA calculation for heating a gas at constant volume

    Summary:: Gibbs and Helmholtz energies calculations for heating an ideal gas at constant volume I am solving a problem involving an ideal gas that undergoes several chained changes of state. One of the steps asks to calculate the change in Gibbs Energy (DeltaG) and Helmholtz energy (Delta A)...
  12. F

    I How do I do this calculation involving the SIN function?

    Hi, I am new here and hope I have posted my thread in the right forum. I have the following SIN function in Excel: =1*(SIN(2*PI()*1,6667*0,45)) The result is -1. That is what I want, so no problem. But what I want is a function that calculates the Time t value, in this example the value 0.45...
  13. O

    I Need some help with trace calculation in an index theorem

    I hate to create a thread for a step in a calculation, by I don't know what else to do. I'm having a lot of trouble reproducing E. Weinberg's index calculation (found here https://inspirehep.net/literature/7539) that gives the dimension of the moduli space generated by BPS solutions in the...
  14. JamesBennettBeta

    Machine Dynamics: Manual Air Pump Calculation (please check my answer)

    mentor note: moved from ME forum hence no HW template. Summary:: I am stuck into this problem for almost a week now. I think I solved it, but it seems something is wrong. Can someone point me, what is wrong here. It'll be so much helpful. I am stuck into this problem for almost a week now. I...
  15. C

    Calculation Involving Projection Tensor in Minkowski Spacetime

    In Minkowski spacetime, calculate ##P^{\gamma}_{\alpha}U^{\beta}\partial_{\beta}U^{\alpha}##. I had calculated previously that ##P^{\gamma}_{\alpha}=\delta^{\gamma}_{\alpha}+U_{\alpha}U^{\gamma}## When I subsitute it back into the expression...
  16. H

    Verifying Force Calculation Methods: 1/2 mv^2 vs. m*a

    1/2 m (rw)^2 = 1/2 m( vf)2 rw =V = 0.05* ( 4200*2π /60 )= 22 1/2 mv^2 = 1/2 kx^2 1.5 * 22^2 = k * 0.05^2 k = 2.9 *10^5 F = kx = 2.9 *10^5 * 0.05 = 14,500 --------------------- (For the above calculation, I got the correct answer.) I wonder whether we can use the method below to obtain force...
  17. S

    Mesh hole size calculation for RFID signal blocking

    For a project I am currently facing a problem that I find difficult to solve. I am developing a shielding portal that uses a mesh to blocks UHF RFID signals. I would like to use aluminium mesh due to it being lightweight and its attenuation properties. The frequency of UHF RFID signals in the...
  18. H

    Explaining 2.2 x 10⁻⁶ m Range Calculation

    I get one of the ranges by calculating: sin(90°) = 1 d·sin(θ) = d × 1 = d = n·λ d = 6 × 550-nm = 3,300 nm = 3.3 microns = 3.3 × 10⁻⁶ m But, how can I get the other range of 2.2 × 10⁻⁶ m Could anyone explain it to me? Thanks
  19. Hamiltonian

    Calculation of the field due to a dipole at an arbitrary point

    I know how to derive field using ##E = -\nabla V## in polar coordinates and doing so gave me $$E = (kP/r^3)(1 + 3cos^3\theta)^{1/2}$$ now I am trying to derive ##E## at point P using the fields produced by +ve and -ve charge respectively and taking components of each along the radial direction...
  20. M

    Engineering Optical Fibres: Spectral Width Calculation

    Hi, I was working on this problem that I think should be quite simple, but I cannot seem to get the correct answer. Question: A pulsed laser operates at 850 nm wavelength. Under pulsed conditions there are several lasing modes present separated in frequency by ## \Delta f = c/2nl ## where...
  21. K

    Difference Between FEA Result and Hand Calculation in Beam Bending?

    This is the analytical working out. I substituted the value of 306mm ( the maximum length of the beam) to find the maximum deflection along the Z-axis. Which came out to be -2.39mm. But according to Ansys the average deflection is 0.3mm and the maximum deflection is 0.8mm. This is the Ansys Values.
  22. H

    Chemistry Calculation Error: 0.19 = (0.14 - 0.13) - 0.06/2*log(1/(0.1*[Pb2+]))

    My calculation: (A) 0.19 = (0.14 - 0.13) - 0.06/2*log(1/(0.1*[Pb2+]) => [Pb2+] = 4.6*10^6 I wonder where I did wrong. Thanks!
  23. V

    Construction Gas Strut - ideal mounting position & Force Calculation

    I have a construction made from 4040 aluminum extrusion. The top frame is opening at 90deg with external hinge. the weight of the top is 6Kg The dimensions are 50X75cm externally and 42X67 internally (as the frame width is 4cm) If pictures with dimensions would help please let me know.
  24. hquang001

    Finding I3: Resistance Ratio Calculation

    Should it be I3 = \frac{(R2+R4)}{(R2+R4) +R3} I or I3 = \frac{R2}{R2 +R3} I
  25. Haorong Wu

    Mathematica Looking for packages for tensor calculation in Mathematica

    Hello. I am doing tensor calculation with indices, such as contraction, lowering or raising indices, tensor production, etc. I have tried the Ricci.m from https://sites.math.washington.edu/~lee/Ricci/ However, maybe because the package has not been upgraded for some time, I could not get the...
  26. DanjoJojo

    Getting Started with LMC Simulator for 3-Digit 10's Complement Calculation

    Summary:: So I'm trying to get more advanced with the lmc simulator, https://www.101computing.net/LMC/ But it's kind of hard to understand and keep track when it gets long. Provide an LMC program that will provide a value in three digits ten's complement. The program will take two inputs, a...
  27. H

    Finding My Calculation Error: Where Did I Go Wrong?

    My calculation is as attached. Where am I wrong?
  28. MathematicalPhysicist

    A Calculation in Perturbative QCD by Muller

    First let's define as on page 13 of the book the perturbative coefficients of the hard scattering cross section ##H_{ab}## by: $$(22) \ \ \ \ H_{ab}=H_{ab}^{0}+\frac{\alpha_s}{\pi}H_{ab}^{(1)}+\mathcal{O}(\alpha_s^2)$$ Now, on page 16 it's written that the RG equation for ##H_{ab}## is: $$(31)...
  29. PhysicsTest

    Understanding Inductor Behavior When Transistors Are Off

    a. When the transistors are ON. ##V_{CC} = V_L## ##V_{CC} = L \frac{di_L} {dt} ## ##i_L = \frac{V_{CC}t} L ## b. I am bit confused when the transistor is "OFF" The point "A" is floating? The transistors and the diodes all the elements seem to be open is it correct? I am confused here.
  30. icesalmon

    Engineering Calculation of the Transconductance for a MOSFET

    This problem was included as an exercise for a section on the small signal equivalent circuit for a MOSFET under the body effect. The problem states ##λ =0## so I believe the Early effect is negligible and ro = 0. I don't see how the body effect would be negated so for part (b). I believe the...
  31. V

    I Combination or Permutation Calculation

    Hello Forum: I have numbers 1 through 6 from which i must select 4 items. The twist is that i need to count only those subsets that include the number 2 all of the subsets are 'distinct' --> 2145 is the same as 2415. My quick calculation yields 15 distinct subsets however some of those do...
  32. H

    Resistance calculation -- Comparing coax cable insulator resistances

    Since both cylinders have the same material, this implies the density is the same. Length is also the same based on the question. We only need to compare the radii for resistance. R2 = pi ((2b)^2 - (2a)^2) R1 = pi (b^2 - a^2) R2/R1 = 4, so my answer is C. But, the given answer is A. Where did I...
  33. A

    Engineering Calculation of the reaction forces on a welded joint

    Here is my solution I just need it to be confirmed Many thanks in advance!
  34. R

    Engineering Thermal expansion coefficient calculation — where is my mistake?

    Hello everyone, Once I got through the VDW state equation I came to the expression of the thermal expansion coefficient. When I place the values I get an illogical answer. Is there a problem with the units? (Please ignore the values) Thanks. This is the unit equation I get to and get stuck:
  35. swiper122

    Fluid dynamics calculation -- Draining a barrel through a pipe

    v1- velocity of water at the top of the barrel v2- velocity of water at the the pipe (bottom of cylinder) p + (⍴ *(v1)^2)/2 + ⍴gh=p + (⍴ *(v2)^2)/2 + ⍴gh atmosferic pressure cancels out (⍴ *(v1)^2)/2 + ⍴gh = (⍴ *(v2)^2)/2 + ⍴gh density doesn't affect the result(cause its in every term)...
  36. ope0409

    Transformer load reading calculation

    I need help to get the percentage current loading on this transformer with the following parameters transformer size is 500KVA Primary voltage is 11KV Secondary voltage is 415v power factor is 0.8 current in Red phase is 315A Current in yellow phase is 302A Current in blue phase is 317A Neutral...
  37. F

    Annihilation: calculation of photon energies

    I set up this problem this way: ##p_a^{\mu}=(E, \sqrt{E^2-m^2}, 0, 0)## ##p_b^{\mu}=(m, 0, 0, 0)## ##p_c^{\mu}=(2E_\gamma, 2E_\gamma, 0, 0)## I have chosen to consider the two photons as a single particle of energy equal to ##2E_\gamma##. At this point I applied conservation of the...
  38. sandmanvgc

    (Dry) Volume Ideal Gas Law Calculation

    If the question was asking for (dry) volume, how would you do that?
  39. M

    Transistor base voltage calculation

    Hello, I am trying to find base voltage. In attached picture (using Multisim) there are two separate circuits. Here is how I am doing the voltage divider: Circuit on right: Vb = (Vcc - .7)*R6/(R6 + R5) = 3.2V which matches Multisim result. No problem here. Circuit on left: Vb = (Vcc -...
  40. I

    A What is the packet speed in the discrete case?

    I've been struggling with the problem below for some time. It is not a homework. A simple bubble S is a spherical surface that expands with constant speed c. A vector bubble V also expands with the same constant speed c. There is a 3d vector associated with a V. If two S bubbles touch, they...
  41. Y

    Torque calculation for a new loading mechanism

    I'm designing loading mechanism of new machine and need to know what the torque will be. Here is the sketch of my mechanism. Distance from centre of shaft to the top of loading table is 200mm. Distance from the centre of mass of workpiece to centre of the shaft 50 mm. Max load is 400 kg. Weight...
  42. M

    Optimum replacement policy calculation

    Hi, I have a question about doing these types of optimum replacement problems. Question: A laboratory owns a group of special microscopes and it has been agreed that a replacement policy should be established. Using the data below and a discount rate of 10%, find the optimum replacement period...
  43. fluidistic

    Permanent magnet's magnetic field calculation

    Hello people, in a near future I'd like to calculate (numerically, with finite elements) the magnetic field of several permanent magnets of various shapes. I am wondering which equation(s) I should solve, exactly. It's been a long time I dived into an EM textbook and I don't have one in hand...
  44. Arman777

    Unexpected result in the numerical calculation - (invalid value encountered)

    from numpy import log as ln z = 3 k = 2 x = 1 - ln(1 + z) / ln(1 + k) y = 1/5 print("The x=", x) Q = x**y print(Q) The result is The x= -0.26185950714291484 c:\Users\-\Desktop\... RuntimeWarning: invalid value encountered in double_scalars Q =...
  45. P

    A Green's function calculation of an infinite lattice with periodicity in 1D

    I am currently trying to compute the Green's function matrix of an infinite lattice with a periodicity in 1 dimension in the tight binding model. I have matrix ##V## that describes the hopping of electrons within each unit cell, and a matrix ##W## that describes the hopping between unit cells...
  46. pipeguy

    A Stress point calculation some practical help

    https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/273785 What are the possible materials (beams, H-profiles) etc that can be used to withstand the pressure of the whole system if there are 12 tonnes of wheat in the pipe at all times? How you would make this system work? There always has to be an angle...
  47. T

    Average Kinetic Energy of molecules calculation

    the answer in the solution book is 29K which only comes if I use mass for only one atom. ( They did not show any working ) My attempt: 1/2 x (1.67 x 10^(-27)) x (355)^(2) = 3/2 x 1.38 x 10^(-23) x T T = 29.48820652 K The confusion arises when I tried the following question: Q. Estimate the...
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