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. Aleoa

    I Atomic Layers calculation in Feynman lectures

    The lecture is here, paragraph 5-7. Feynman is trying to explain how to measure the size of the nucleus. He writes : "Suppose we have a piece of material 1 centimeter thick. There will be about 10^8 atomic layers. Since we don't know the size of the nucleous, how can be possible to calculate...
  2. C

    Arbitrary Circulation Calculation with Fourier Series

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am stuck trying to figure out why there are three different alphas and why in the equation we are supposed to use has a theta and what that means. If I can set up the Fourier series I can properley I know how to solve it for...
  3. D

    BOD (biochemical oxygen demand) calculation

    Homework Statement A seeded BOD test is to be conducted on meat-processing wastewater with an estimated strength of 800 mg/L. The seed is supernatant from aged, settled, domestic wastewater with BOD of about 150 mg/L. Calculate the BOD value for the industrial wastewater if the initial DO in...
  4. H

    MHB Converting USD 1 to £ s d in 1927: Formula & Calculation

    Sir, In 1927 the English Pound was USD 4.86. What would be the reverse for $1.00, with the Pound value expressed in £ s d. Would there be a formula for this conversion? Thank you for any help you may provide. Regards, P.N.
  5. suman kundu

    A NLO and NNLO order calculation for HardQCD in PYthia8.2

    Can anyone suggest me possible way out for NLO and NNLO order calculation for HardQCD events generation in pythia 8.2 ?
  6. Ioannis

    Calculation of leakage from a sealed room

    Hello Everyone, I am trying to calculate the openings of a sealed room according to a pressure drop in a specific time. I have the following equation: Q = 840*A*√(dP) Q: differential airflow in liters/sec A: room leakage in m2 dP: differential pressure in Pa...
  7. S

    Calculating Pulley and Shaft Loads for an Existing System

    Hi, i need to do a pulley/shaft check on an existing system. Pulley is 840mm diameter and the motor has 47kw and 390 nm breakdown torque so to find the force from the belt can i assume that the force at the pulley o.d. distance is the force? So 390*0.84 will give the torque at that distance...
  8. NoahCygnus

    Calculation of the change in internal energy of water

    Homework Statement If water vapor is assumed to be a perfect gas, molar enthalpy change for vaporization of 1 mol of water at 1 bar and 100 C is 41 kJ/mol . Calculate the internal energy, when 1 mol of water is vaporized at 1 bar pressure and 100 C. Homework Equations $$\Delta U = \Delta H =...
  9. S

    Torque and power calculation for a crank wheel

    How to calculate torque and power at 'drive wheel' with following inputs and also requirement shown in below picture- a. Gear ratio, 1: 6 b. Attached 10Kg weight for bigger wheel to make as a crank wheel and diameter is 30inch. c. Bigger wheel: Consider 180 degree is freely rotates(due to 10kg...
  10. R

    Error calculation for µ in standing wave experiment

    Homework Statement I experimented with standing waves on an oscillating string, and I was asked to calculate the absolute error of µ (linear mass per unit length). I don't know how to calculate it, so please help me. I loaded 100g, 200g and 300g on the string. Below are tabulated data of the...
  11. V

    Mixing CP asymmetry calculation

    Homework Statement Consider decay ##\bar{B^0_s}\rightarrow D^+_s \pi^-## and calculate its mixing-induces CP asymmetry. Homework Equations $$\xi_f^{s}=e^{i\theta_{M_{12}}} \frac{A(\bar{B^0_q}\rightarrow f)}{A(B^0_q \rightarrow f)}=\pm e^{-i\phi_s}\frac{...
  12. PsychonautQQ

    A Homology calculation using Mayer-Vietoris sequence

    Hey PF! This isn't for homework, just me messing around with some thoughts in caluclating various homology groups. So suppose we have ##p \in S^n## and suppose that ##X## is a Polyhedra. I want to show that ##H_q(X \times S^n, X \times p) \cong H_{q-n}(X)## I was given the hint to start out...
  13. Humbleness

    Confirmation of a net force calculation from a diagram

    Homework Statement Calculate the net force acting on the object indicated in the following diagram. Show your work. Homework Equations cosine/sine law The Attempt at a Solution First I subtracted 10N and 8N (since they are forces acting in different directions): -8.0N (S) + 10.0N (S) = 2.0...
  14. SHANKARALINGAM

    Heat Flux Calculation for Titanium & Aluminum

    Hello sir, How to calculate the heat flux of titanium and aluminum?What are the essentials for doing the calculation?We are undertaking a project of multilayer coated cutting tool inserts..So we are in the need of this. Regards, Shankaralingam.
  15. S

    Help me find my error in a relativistic kinetic energy calculation

    Hi everyone. Given: an asteroid with the mass of 50,000,000 kg, which is moving with the velocity of oh-my-god particle -- 99.99999999999999999999951% of c. Due to relativistic effects, its total kinetic energy will be 1.44 E+36 Joules (Lorentz factor = 3.2 E+11). A hypothetical particle...
  16. R

    Centre of mass of binary system calculation

    Homework Statement Given a graph (see below) containing the velocities of two stars with respect to the sun, I am asked to calculate the velocity of the centre of mass of a binary system. I am not given the mass of either star, nor the shape of the orbit nor the velocity of the centre of mass...
  17. C

    MHB Partial Volume of a Cylinder Calculation

    It's been a long time since I've attended school, over 33 years ago. So my question may seem basic to many here. I wish to calculate the partial volume of a cylinder for my excel spreadsheet project. The formula I've found is attached. (unable to type it) But I do not fully understand this...
  18. srinaath

    Temperature rise calculation for electrical devices

    There are 2 types of temp rise measurement for electrical devices, 1)resistance type 2) thermocouple type (direct measurement) My query is 1) which method is superior and please explain me the reason. 2) Which gives higher value of measurement? Thanks in advance.
  19. A

    Hooke's Law Lab Spring Constant Calculation

    Homework Statement I need to calculate a spring constant using measurements from a Hooke's Law Apparatus, a spring, and some weights. The weights are hung vertically from the spring and the distance is measured from the equilibrium point of the spring. If I'm solving for k, then k=F/x. I do...
  20. F

    Calculate Electric Flux from Point Charge to Plate:

    Homework Statement A ##10 cm## (on y axis) by ##10 cm## (on z axis) flat plate is located ##5 cm## away (on x axis) from a point charge ##q##. Calculate the electric flux from the point charge to the plate. Can somebody solve it using surface integral using both spherical and cartesian...
  21. G

    Calculating Potential Energy Change for a Mountain Climber

    Homework Statement A 95-kg mountain climber hikes up a mountain to an elevation of 5000 m. What is the change in the climber's potential energy? Homework Equations I might be missing something but here's everything that might be relevant: w=fx p=w/t p=f*v KE=1/2mv^2 PEg=mgh PEe=1/2kx^2 Wnet=E...
  22. M

    MHB Calculation of the inverse matrix - Number of operations

    Hey! :o Let A be a regular ($n\times n$)-Matrix, for which the Gauss algorithm is possible. If we choose as the right side $b$ the unit vectors $$e^{(1)}=(1, 0, \ldots , 0)^T, \ldots , e^{(n)}=(0, \ldots , 0, 1 )^T$$ and calculate the corresponding solutions $x^{(1)}, \ldots , x^{(n)}$ then...
  23. D

    Calculate mAh Needed for Load @ 1.5V, 57mA 4min

    If I have a load that needs 57 milliamps for 4 minutes @ 1.5V, how do I calculate the mAh rating needed to satisfy that load?
  24. Y

    Gain calculation of tube class AB output stage

    Hi I don't know if anyone here design tube power amps. I am calculating the gain of the class AB output stage of push pull tubes and output transformer. Class AB by definition has a small signal region that both tubes are working and is operating in pure class A. Only when input signal is large...
  25. B

    Integral Calculation for Yukawa Potential Differential Cross Section

    Homework Statement Homework Equations This is a calculation about differential cross section of Yukawa potential. The Attempt at a Solution I can't understand how that highlighted part can be -1 , we don't know if the parenthesis term (iq-1/a) is negative or positive tho.
  26. A

    How Do You Calculate Radiation Dose Through Lead Shielding?

    Homework Statement I have attached a picture of the question. A 2 Ci 137Cs source is equal to 2 x (3.7x1010 Bq) = 7.4x1010 s-1 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and for 50 weeks is a total duration in seconds of 7.2x106 s An 8 cm lead shield = 0.08 m IRR99 regulations set an effective dose...
  27. T

    Confusion over the calculation of the angular momentum of a rigid body

    Homework Statement this has been bugging me for a while now the angular momentum about any point p is given as ## \vec {L_p} = \vec {R_{cm,p}} \times \vec {P_{cm}} + L_{cm}\\ ## now if the body precessing around z axis and spinning about its own axis then angular velocity of body in lab...
  28. L

    Another problem (Phase Change Heat Calculation)

    Homework Statement Homework Equations q = mcat mols*hvap The Attempt at a Solution To decrease temp from 70 to 56 degrees (bp), q=mcat = 1195.5 to convert this gas into liquid , must do mols * hvap = 29129 joules to decrease temp from 56 to 0 thought, i get q= mcat = -7047 J (which is...
  29. L

    Can someone check my work (Hvap/Hcond Calculation)

    Homework Statement I don't have an answer key to these questions and it's my first time dealing with problems like this. so was wondering if my process is correct! Homework Equations q = m*deltaT*C q = mols*Hvap The Attempt at a Solution So, my reasoning behind this work is that there was heat...
  30. King_Silver

    Sustainable Energy Calculation for Fossil Fuel Mix

    Homework Statement Homework Equations No equations used (to my knowledge). Just arithmetic and understanding of what is being asked. The Attempt at a Solution Was wondering if my solution/approach to this question is correct or not? I don't have any answers to compare it to so any...
  31. C

    Z-Parameter Calculation for Circuit | Nodal Analysis Method

    Homework Statement Calculate the z-parameters for this circuit. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution I'm trying to apply Nodal Analysis in order to find V_1 and I'm not too sure where to go with this now.
  32. Edwin1974

    MHB Need help with reversal of a calculation involving gravitational constant.

    Hi. I would like to know if it is possible to "reverse engineer" the formula below to find (G) if Ve, M and r are all known values. Ve = sqrt{2GM/r} Ve would be escape velocity, G would be gravitational constant, M would be mass of planet and r would be radius of planet. I hope I am...
  33. A

    Calculating Moment of Inertia for Outstretched Arms: 1/3 vs 1/12 Formula

    Homework Statement Kindly see the screenshot attached below for the question. Homework Equations I=1/3ML^2 1/12ML^2 The Attempt at a Solution In the solution to this question, the moment of inertia of the hands (when outstretched) is taken to be 1/12ML^2 (combined). I think that it should be...
  34. A

    I Can phase shifts δl be calculated in scattering theory?

    Hello, My question is about the calculation of phase shifts δl in scattering theory. Some article mention that we can obtain phase shifts by numerically solving the radial Schrodinger equation but I'm not sure how to do it. Do you know how to proceed? is there any code (python, c ++, ...)...
  35. A

    I Calculation Of the energy Of beta decay in tritium

    Hi! I hace been trying to calculate how many energy in form of beta radiation is emitted in one if those "Tritiglows" sold in Amazon. I did the following math (imatge) and got a really high energy. How is that posible? Where did I failed...
  36. A

    How to calculate the force to cut a log?

    Good morning guys, So i want to make mechanism to cut log with diameter 5 cm and 120 cm length. So how i can calculate the force to cut this log perpendicular and paralel. What is tbe formula i can use? And how i can determine the saw thickness and rpm needed to cut this log? Thanks guys for...
  37. A

    I Calculation of x from log equation

    Hi I have the following equation: Log(x/y)=A*(e^z(-1)) I know values of y, A, z. I need to calculate x from this equation. I need to ‘extract’ x first therefore Log(x)-Log(y)= A*(e^z(-1)) Log(x) = A*(e^z(-1)) +Log(y) x=10^[ A*(e^z(-1)) +Log(y)] I am not sure whether my formula modification...
  38. johnaguiar

    Calculation of torque, momentum

    Hi, good afternoon the problem is this: This device was assembled with the purpose of calculating the torque of a small motor. It measures the force F through a charge cell. The calculations performed for the moment were made using the data provided by the load cell and distance "d". However...
  39. Leggit9

    What is the equation for calculating crystal length using index of refraction?

    Hey, The question sounds like this: I have 100 fs 400 nm pulse passing through the CaF2 crystal. After passing, it gets twice wider (200 ps). What is the length of the crystal? Can anyone share the equation which would help me to calculate this? Thank you in advance!
  40. yeshuamo

    Variable of integration in geometric phase calculation

    Homework Statement Calculate the geometric phase change when the infinite square well expands adiabatically from width w1 to w2.Homework Equations Geometric phase: \gamma_n(t) = i \int_{R_i}^{R_f} \Bigg< \psi_n \Bigg | \frac{\partial \psi_n}{\partial R} \Bigg > dR Infinite square well wave...
  41. billyray

    Engineering Superposition calculation for a circuit

    Homework Statement I have tried to answer the superposition question in the included file. I have gone through the workings as the same as in my john bird electrical book. I believe I have done nothing wrong in my approach and should be getting the same answer as my thevenins answer. the...
  42. D

    I How to Calculate Fall Duration with Variable Force?

    Hello. How can one calculate the duration of fall of an astronaut "lost" to 20 m of his shuttle? We can assume that they are stopped at the beginning of the fall. I do not see how. Dylan
  43. E

    Pipeline bend calculation from strain gauge data

    Hi all, I'm doing a stress analysis and I’m considering 3 buried pipelines carrying oil. Vibrating wire strain gauges have been installed in different sections for a total of 468 strain gauges. These have been arranged on the surface of the pipelines 120°apart: This pipelines have...
  44. C

    Mass flow rate calculation from velocity contour in pipe

    Hello all, Looking for ideas on how to calculate mass flow rate from a velocity contour plot. The cross-sectional area is circular. An example of the velocity contour plot is shown in the figure below: In most of the cases (as exemplified above) the flow is non-axisymmetric. Any suggestions...
  45. D

    Boyle's law pressure calculation

    Homework Statement An pillow is inflated with an pressure of let's say 20 hPa. Afterwards we place a weight of 10 Kg on the pillow, what is the pressure increase within the pillow? P athmosthere = 1013 hPa P cushion = 1013 + 20 = 1033 hPa m = 10 Kg g = 9.81 m/s^2 Amount of air in the pillow...
  46. 4

    MHB Higher order derivatives calculation

    Does anyone know why this is true?
  47. B

    How Do You Calculate the Normalized Frequency for a Multimode Fiber?

    Hi, I'm having trouble calculating the normalized frequency for a multimode fiber. Here's the formula: V=(2π/λ)⋅a⋅√(n12-n22) where λ=900 nm, a=200μm, n1=1.460, n2=1.455 Here's how I plug in the numbers: V=(2π/(900*10-9))⋅(200*10-6)⋅√(1.4602-1.4552)=167This is an easy calculation I know...
  48. S

    MHB Calculating Mine Proposal: Silver, Copper, and Gangue Production and Profits

    I'm in year 8 and have a maths question for science. I have been given some information to go off. We have a task where we have to 'plan' a new mine proposal. I am doing accounting. I need help with 2 questions. - How much silver, copper, and gangue will be produced - How much money will we...
  49. A

    I Relativistic Mass Calculation with 4th Dimensional Vector

    I have a sample problem : Photon, with energy E, is absorbed by m. Then, mass m becomes m' (i think it's relativistic mass). Calculate the new mass. My teacher solved the problem as follows; P1=( E/c, P3dphoton); // momentum of the photon P2=(mc, 0); // momentum of the stationary mass...
  50. Q

    Calculation of the net force on a test charge

    Homework Statement Homework Equations \overrightarrow{F} = \frac{1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{qQ}{r^2}\hat{r} The Attempt at a Solution I found to hard summarizing all forces directly adding each to other. The solution of this problem is only matter of drawing the 13-sided polygon and forces...
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