Calculations 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. N

    Coil resistence/impedance calculations

    So I've never gotten a straight answer as to how you calculate the resistance of a coil (or cap for that matter). I hesitate to use the term "impedance" because I've been told too many times to count that impedance is the total resistance of a circuit. My professors dance around the topic from...
  2. M

    Vector Calculations | Find ⎮v-2w⎮

    Homework Statement If ⎮v⎮=2, ⎮w⎮=3, and the angle between v and w is [tex]\pi/3[\tex], find ⎮v-2w⎮. Homework Equations Im not sure how to go about this. maybe use [tex]\cos\theta[\tex]=u∙v/⎮u⎮⎮v⎮ The Attempt at a Solution i'm not sure where to start. i know this has to be pretty...
  3. H

    Simple power calculations (or so I thought) PLEASE HELP EXAM ON TUES

    Hello everyone, sorry if this is posted in the wrong section; I just signed up. Homework Statement Okay, so the question in my textbook is: "A car engine needs 1000W to start it. The starter motor supplies this power. The starter motor is 80% efficient and it runs off a 12V battery. a)...
  4. J

    Cardboard boomerang experiments and calculations

    I have to come up with an experiment using cardboard boomerangs that the rest of the class will do. The class then has to make calculations and test out the boomerangs to see if their calculations were correct. However, i don't know what kind of experiment I can have the class do with...
  5. A

    Need help with Quantinization of Charge concept and calculations

    Homework Statement An oil drop whose mass is 3.30x10-15kg moves at a constant speed of 1.70m/s upward between two horizontal parallel plates. The plates are 1.00cm apart and are connected to a 6.75x102V battery. If the oil drop is negative and the top plate is positive, calculate the number of...
  6. B

    What is the best way to add new calculations to a running list in Linux?

    hi, I'm running some calculations in the background of my Linux work computer, and I now have some more jobs for it to do, but the current calculations are not yet finished. For example, my new file, RUN.in has the following: ./cal1 ./cal2 ./cal3 ./etc and this is similar to what I have...
  7. B

    IRC calculations in Quantum Chemistry

    I was wondering if I do an IRC calculation and the energy range of the IRC does not quite reach the energy of the reactant or product of the system, do I need to make the IRC calculation "wider" (i.e. go more forward and reverse) so that I can interpolate the reaction coordinate of the system...
  8. Femme_physics

    How to treat internal resistance in calculations ?

    Homework Statement http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/654/circuit05.jpg Internal Resistance = 10 ohms (each) RL = 20 ohms R2 = 30 ohms R1 = 50 ohmsA) When the switch is open, calculate I B) When the switch is closed, calculate I Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution First I'll try to...
  9. L

    Understanding Renormalisation Calculations in Field Theory

    On p 51 of these notes: http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/ho/Notes.pdf , I'm trying to follow the calculation \int \frac{d^dk}{(2 \pi )^d} \frac{1}{(k^2+m^2)^2}= - \frac{\partial}{\partial m^2} \dots It looks to me like we can just use the calculation above and then take the derivative at the...
  10. L

    Find the Mass of Water that Freezes: Entropy Change Calculations

    1. At 10°C, 32 g of water is mixed with 430 g of ice at -5°C. (The heat capacity of water is 4190 J/(kg * °C), that of ice is 2090 J/ (kg *°C), and the heat of fusion of water is 3.34 * 10^5 J/kg) a) What mass of water freezes ? b) What is the change in entropy of the system? What I did on...
  11. P

    How Do Stoichiometry Calculations Reveal Chemical Quantities and Composition?

    1.nitric acid reacts with potassium carbonate according to the following reaction 2(HNO3) + k2CO3 ----> 2(KNO3) + H2O + CO2 if nitric acid is reacted with 50.0 g of potassium carbonate, find the mass of water produced 2. manganese is added to steel to increase strength and resistance to...
  12. A

    Calculations associated with a bouncing ball

    Homework Statement For our final project we have to design a lab, take the data, and write a lab report. My lab is bouncing balls of different masses, onto different surfaces, from different heights, and use balls of different materials in order to see what factor influences efficiency the...
  13. A

    Calculations associated with a bouncing ball

    Homework Statement For our final project we have to design a lab, take the data, and write a lab report. My lab is bouncing balls of different masses, onto different surfaces, from different heights, and use balls of different materials in order to see what factor influences efficiency the...
  14. Femme_physics

    "Max Power" Calculations in Electrical Engineering

    So in a question I have to find out what's the "max power" that can be spread around a circuit without causing any damage to the resistor. So, unsure what "max power" means, I googled "max power" and ended up with many images and resources of Homer Simpson, half naked girls and cars, with no...
  15. P

    Units confusion in calculations

    Can someone please explain how kg x kg-2 (in superscript) can equal kg? I hope it does or my calc is wrong! Anywhere I can revise this kind of thing? Mick
  16. S

    Can someone confirm my calculations please (wavelength & grating seperation)

    Good evening everyone I was hoping someone could confirm my calculations are correct.I will put the question in normal font and my calculations in red bold: A laser of wavelength 500nm and grating separation of 100μm: a) find the angle of the first order of fringe spacing b) Distance of the...
  17. K

    Confirmation for my calculations

    Hi guys I am doing this question out of a book, the answer is not given so I am trying to find out if my answer is correct or not. Please find the attached image which shows the question. 1) For the reaction in Question (a) I found the reaction (Ry) to be 220 kN. Rx = 0 because there is no...
  18. B

    How does the mass of the barbell affect the centre of gravity?

    Hello all, just a little centre of gravity question: A 1.7m long barbell has a 20kg weight attached on its left end and a 35kg weight on its right end. a) If you ignore the weight of the bar itself, how far would from the left of the barbell is the centre of gravity - I had no trouble...
  19. J

    Sign Conventions for Paths and Surfaces for Electromagnetic Calculations

    Hello all. I'm trying to figure out how to determine the correct sign of paths and surfaces defined for calculating quantities in electromagnetic problems. For example, say there's a wire in the shape of a rectangular prism along the z-axis with some current density, \vec{J} . Then the...
  20. R

    How do I calculate 3 phase power using a CT with only 1 phase measurement?

    I have never really studied the heavy side of electrical engineering. We are currently running a machine that runs off 3 phase supply. I want to measure the kW or KVAh on this machine using a CT which is all already set up. The Current at maximum on 1 phase reads at about 130A, and the phases...
  21. S

    Theoretical problem (no calculations) with electric field from moving charge

    Homework Statement I'm in a physics 2 (electricity and magnetism) course, and I'm having trouble with something the professor discussed in class. I tried approaching him about it afterwards, but it still didn't make sense to me. I really think he made a mistake here, and I'd like input...
  22. T

    Calculating Projectile Motion for a Catapult with Limited Data

    Hi Guys hope u r feeling good i just finished my catapult project and the problem is that i have only two given and the problem is that i have only two given values the \Delta T = 1.1 sec.\Delta_{d}x=2.2 m , and the angle is 70' degrees. and nothing else. http://tinypic.com/r/2ylqpux/7 i...
  23. J

    Chassis Stress & Strain Calculations

    Hi Guys, So I am biting off more than I can chew with my latest project.. and looking for help. I am going to fabricate a kit car chassis, The suggested material is 1' x 1' steel box section but why? Could anybody help by suggesting the kind of calculations I would have to research...
  24. C

    Spectrophotometric Copper Determination calculations

    The template doesn't really work well for mine considering its a lab sorry ><. I am quite confused on how to do the calculations on my chemistry lab, i have scanned, and rewritten my answers so they would be more clear :-) . the questions i have are on the 3rd and 4th image, I am just really not...
  25. K

    How Do You Calculate Properties of a Transverse Wave?

    A transverse wave is described by the expression y= 0.05cos(4.19x-1260t). You may assume all measurements are in the correct SI units. A) What is the amplitude of this wave? B) What is the wavelength of this wave? C) How fast is the wave travelling? D) What is the maximum tranverse velocity of...
  26. X

    Magnetic forces (no calculations)

    Problem: An electron enters an external magnetic field in the same direction as the field. Explain what happens to motion of the electron while in the field. I predicted the electron to stay still, since the angle between the direction of speed and external magnetic field is 0. can anyone...
  27. M

    How to Estimate Internal Energy and Heat Capacity Without Partition Functions?

    Homework Statement a) Estimate the internal energy E in the high temperature (equipartition) limit for CO. b) Estimate the heat capacity Cv in the high temperature (equipartition) limit for NH3. Do not use partition functions in your calculations. Homework Equations <E> = KbT Cv = (7/2)R...
  28. B

    Could a Pneumatic Jet-Pack Powered by Pressurized Water Work?

    I would think someone would have thought about this already, I'm not taking physics so forgive my assumptions about water flow, thrust etc. but, If I were to say... take a 12" I.D. 24" section of PVC Pipe filled about 85% of the way, 6^2*3.14*24/231*.85 = so about 10 gallons, 80 pounds of water...
  29. M

    A question about quantum group calculations in mathematica

    Homework Statement Hi. My question is about braid relations and yang-baxter equation. braiding operators should satisfy the relations given in pdf file. But according to my mathematica calculation one braiding operator does not satisfy the relations.where did I make a mistake? I include...
  30. Femme_physics

    If Moment of Inertia units are mm^4, how do you use it in calculations?

    So, we learned that the units of Moment of Inertia are mm^4. My question is how do they use moment of inertia in static calculation (where we use Newtons), if Moment of Inertia is in mm^4?
  31. J

    Good Tool for simple calculations

    You can try Good Tool for simple calculations at the URL: http://www.formula-gate.com/converter-calculator/math/equation-calculator.aspx
  32. S

    How can I calculate the voltage output of a wind turbine?

    Hi I wasn't sure whether this is technically homework or not but anyway. I am building a miniature wind turbine for a basic project just for myself. I was wondering if there was anyway for working out the voltage gained from the generator. I know this could be gained from using P = IV but...
  33. T

    XFoil Reynolds Number Calculations

    Can someone explain to me how XFoil calculates the Reynolds Number for computational analysis. I have the XFoil manual which explains the method used in calculating the Reynolds Number. But what I don't understand is that it says that the "Reynolds Number is defined with the freestream velocity...
  34. O

    Car crash stimulus calculations

    there is a car crash where car A is resting at the traffic lights and car B is driving at 100km/hr and at 45m saw the car and stepped on the brakes. the velocity of car B is 27.8m/s the deceleration is -6.7 m s^-2 the thinking distance is 41.7m weight of car B is 1385 kg weight of car...
  35. M

    Significant figures calculations

    Hi, I am currently taking a college-level Physics course and ran into some troubling questions regarding significant figures. I wasn’t sure which forum I should post this to but the math forum seemed like the most adequate one. So here goes… I have no problem understanding the basic rules for...
  36. D

    How is the answer obtained from quantum calculations?

    The calculation process of a quantum computer I've just started reading up about quantum computers and it's fascinating stuff but I need some help understanding something. I understand how a qubit can be in the classical "0" or "1" state used in a conventional computer and it can also be in...
  37. D

    Holographic disturbance in 3-dimensional calculations leading to CP Voilation

    Comrades, "The Holographic Interferometer, or Holometer, is a machine designed to test a particular idea about how space, time, matter, and energy behave on the very smallest scales." Its made to check up on the fuzziness of space that might come interfere with the propagation of light, so...
  38. J

    Lifting a 7.5 kg Box: Power Calculations

    Homework Statement A 7.5 kg box is being lifted by means of a light rope that is threaded through a single, light, frictionless pulley that is attached to the ceiling. a) If the box is being lifted at a constant speed of 2.0 m/s, what is the power delivered by the person pulling on the...
  39. S

    Solve Betatron Calculations Homework: (c) & (d)

    Homework Statement I'm confused about part (c) and on in the following questions: Consider a betatron with these parameters: the radius of the electron orbit is 0.5 m; the kinetic energy of an electron injected into the accelerator is 2.0 MeV; and the rate of increase of the magnetic flux...
  40. P

    Verifying V Graph and Acceleration Calculations

    For the V Graph upload: It asks to: The graph shows the motion of a stone thrown vertically upwards. Calculate the maximum height reached by the stone: a) by first finding the average velocity of the stone b) by finding the area under the graph for a) I did total displacement / total time =...
  41. H

    Capacitor Voltage breakdown calculations

    Homework Statement This is a general problem i have been having but if you are given the relative dielectric strength of a material, (take air, 1.00058986), i have then been told it can only handle a maximum of 3V/micro meter. i have then been given a question a asking what is the breakdown...
  42. L

    How does Equation (3.16) Imply Equation (3.17) in General Relativity?

    So I am trying to verify a couple of things on p59 of this document http://arxiv.org/PS_cache/gr-qc/pdf/9707/9707012v1.pdf How do we show eqn (3.16) implies (3.17)? I keep getting bogged down on the maths. Could someone outline the method?
  43. MalachiK

    Energy lost charging a capacitor - can someone check my calculations.

    Homework Statement I'm trying to show that not all (half) of the energy supplied by the power supply ends up in the capacitor when the capacitor is charged through a resistor. I've looked at some of the other threads on these sorts of topics and I'd thought I'd have a go at working through it...
  44. F

    Air compressor calculations for engine super charger

    I am an engineer but have a rather dumb question regarding superchargers for engines and probably compressors in general. Most specifications are give as XXcfm at XX psi. I am trying to understand if this truly means we are moving that amount of air at the rated psi or if that means that...
  45. D

    Monatomic Gas and Isotherm - W, U Calculations

    Homework Statement . Suppose a monatomic ideal gas is changed from state A to state D by one of the processes shown on the PV diagram below, in which each interval on the vertical (P) axis corresponds to 2 atm, and the values of the lines on the horizontal (V) axis equal 1 L, 2 L, and 4 L...
  46. T

    Calculations for raising temperature in specific amount of time

    Hi, I am trying to calculate the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of a rubber sphere by 20 degree's Celcius within 10 seconds. The rubber sphere will be heated via radiation in a closed system. I have calculated the specific heat capactity, by using the formula q =...
  47. E

    Weyl Spinors, SO(1,3) algebra and calculations

    Hey guys, something that puzzles me everytime I stumble across spinors is the following: I know that i can express Dirac spinors in terms of2-component Weyl spinors (dotted/undotted spinors). Now, if i do that, i can reexpress for instance the Lorentz or conformal algebra in terms of Weyl...
  48. H

    How Do You Calculate the Orbital Period of a Satellite?

    Homework Statement If the space station orbits the Earth 225 km above the surface , what are the satellites orbital speed and period ? The mass of the Earth is 5.97 E24 kg and the radius is 6.38 E6 m. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I already have the speed ( v ) , I...
  49. T

    Understanding the Recurrence Relation of H_n(x) and Its Properties

    Homework Statement The polynomials are defined as follows H_n(x) for n = 0; 1; : : : as follows: fi rst, set H_0(x) =1 and H_1(x) = -x; then, for n >= 2, H_n is defined by the recurrence H_n(x) = -xH_(n-1)(x) - (n - 1)H_(n-2)(x): (1) I have to use (1) to verify that H_2(x) = x^2 -1 and...
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