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. M

    Length contraction (no calculations)

    i am wondering when i read about planets or solar systems that are like 1million lightyears away, those that take into account length contraction, because if the light is traveling at the speed of light then the distance it has to go will contract. also another (possibly) stupid question...
  2. S

    Need Help With Quadrilateral Calculations: LN and KM Angles

    Hey guys, not touched any mathematics in almost 5 years and I am just getting back into it, been going well so far but hit a hurdle with this, I presume its some gaps in my knowledge. So been at this for about an hour, got the first one, no clue on the second, can anyone offer assistance?K(-2...
  3. P

    What is the required thickness of insulation for a furnace roof equipment?

    I would be grateful for your help with a small project I am involved in at work. I would like to set up an excel spread sheet to calculate either the thickness of insulation required to reduce the temperature of say a furnace wall from the inside to the outside, or calculate the resultant...
  4. J

    What Is the Initial Concentration of Na2CrO4 in a Mixed Ag2CrO4 Solution?

    Homework Statement When 50.0 mL of a 2.0 × 10-4 M Ag2CrO4 solution was added to 50.0 mL of a Na2CrO4 solution a ppt formed (Ag2Cro4). What was the initial concentration of this Na2CrO4 solution? Ksp Ag2CrO4 = 1.1 × 10-12Homework Equations Given A2 (aq) + B(aq) -> AB(s) Ksp = [A]n[B] The...
  5. D

    Averaging Transaction Data for Accurate Growth Rate Calculations

    Hi, this contracted company that I am working with has this data. Basically they collect the number of transactions each day. Then they graph these transactions out by Week, always monday - sunday. The data is then stored in a table where the x-axis is the date of the monday the week started...
  6. M

    What is the Ideal Gas Equation for Calculating Gas Properties?

    Homework Statement Considering a container of 3*10-2m3 filled with an unknown gas such that the pression is 15MPA (or 1.5*107Pa) and the temperature is 25°C. Determine the volume occupied by one atom of the gas and determine the average distance between its particles. Homework...
  7. F

    Water Cooling Heat Transfer Calculations

    I am currently working on a project that cools water moving through a chilled aluminum block. I am not familiar with the math/physics involved and would like some direction or recommendations. My project is currently setup so that I suction 32oz of 70 degree F water out of tank1 and pump it...
  8. M

    Help needed, no calculations just theory light and waves

    I am having trouble explaining this picture and i am hoping someone online could answer it. I took a picture in a computer lab of 2 monitors, you can see the flurescent tube lightbulb reflection on both screens. the monitors are off.(they are the exact same brand no difference between them...
  9. N

    How Many Users Can a Satellite Network Support?

    Homework Statement Freq band uplink: 13 - 14 GHz downlink: 10 - 11 GHz transponder bandwidth: 5 transponder x 54 MHz channel using linear polarization EIRP = 59 dBW G/T = 13.5 (max) dB/K QPSK modulation Homework Equations If each user is offered data rate of 256 kbps, with bit...
  10. A

    Cosmic Calculations and Kinetic Energy

    Homework Statement A satellite with a mass of 5.00 x 10^2kg is in a circular orbit, whose radius is 2(radius of the earth), around earth. Then it is moved to a circular orbit with a radius of 3(radius of the earth). a) Determine the satellite's gravitational potential energy from the...
  11. K

    Piecewise-linear ball complexes: calculations with GAP

    Dear all, Recently, some young people and I started a project that may be called "Piecewise-linear ball complexes: calculations with GAP". As to me, my direct aim is to make calculations in some TQFT's (topological quantum field theories) naturally defined on PL ball complexes of any...
  12. E

    Physics maths calculus charge calculations

    Homework Statement charge (q) in coulombs, can be calculated byt integrating the current (i) in amperes (A) with respect to time. determine the charge on a capacitor as a result of current flowing for 0.03 seconds if: a. the current is a constant 5mA (0.005A) b. the current is a function...
  13. S

    Trouble with circuit calculations

    Homework Statement I uploaded a picture of the circuit diagram I'm using. Basically I'm having trouble with filling out the rest of the table. Homework Equations Ohm's law: V=IR series circuit: R(eq)= R1 + R2 + R3... parallel circuit: 1/R(eq)=1/R1 + 1/R2 + 1/R3 ... Kirchhoff's Law: series...
  14. S

    How Do I Calculate Lift and Drag with Winglets?

    Hi I need to know how to calculate lift characteristics like cl ,cd and so on... how can we include the winglets in it?
  15. S

    Calculate Rocket Momentum & Thrust: 20,000kg, 600kg/s, 300m/s

    A 20 000kg rocket exhausts gases at a constant 600kg per second at 300ms^-1 a) Calculate the momentum of the exhaust gases b) Deduce the thrust applied to the rocket engines Any help would be much appreciated
  16. S

    Many car calculations, including torque and peak power

    I need to calculate a number of things: 1. the torque of the wheels. 2. The peak power, i am assuming it means of the wheels 3. the work done. i know: total mass (car+wheel): 680kg. mass of wheel: 22.67kg there are 4 wheels. radius of each wheel = .203m time: 8s. acceleration: 26.82m/s^2...
  17. P

    Calculating Weld Sizes for Staircase Attachments

    Hi all, I'm trying to learn to do some basic calculations for welding, and I've been given the task in regards to finding out the weld sizes required for the loads being applied. I've got a 1.2m wide staircase, with 6 stairs, attaching to two angular beams on the outside. They will be...
  18. G

    Air Cannon Projectile Velocity Calculations help please

    Hi everyone, I am new here at Physics Forums and this is my first post. Earlier this evening, my dad and I were trying to figure out the initial velocity of our projectiles. We were successful in calculating the initial velocity in a vacuum, but we are perplexed as to how to calculate the...
  19. P

    Can Any IC Handle V0 = V1 + V2 - (V3 + V4) Regardless of Voltage Polarity?

    Hi, I've been having a bit of trouble finding a summer IC that can perform the following calculation: V0 = V1 + V2 - (V3 + V4) I found the LM324 which includes that calculation in its documentation, but it requires V1 + V2 > V3 + V4 since it's only got V+ and GND inputs. This...
  20. A

    Calculations of how much water evaporated and what is left

    Homework Statement Suppose you put a coffee pot containing 300 g of water at 20 C on the stove. You then add 350 kJ of heat to the water, which heats the water to 100 C and the water starts to boil. After all the heat is added to the water, then how much water do you still have left? The heat...
  21. D

    Designing a Gearbox: Shafts, Calculations & More

    I have to design a gear box. The gears and the springs are already designed. It is based on 4 gears, made up of two pairs (1:3 and 1:5 ratio). I now have to design the shafts and other components. I am thinking of using 3 shafts, but would that work? I can't really visualize how the overall...
  22. G

    I don't understand the result of my Earth-muon calculations

    This post is based on problem 1-11 in Taylor-Wheeler. The problem is very similar to the others in this section, which is mostly devoted to the invariance of the spacetime interval. The problems are structured so that three of the four required numbers can be determined. The missing number...
  23. N

    Centrifugal governor calculations

    Hello all, I am having problems working out the weight I require for as braking system. I have a wind unit bringing me 1kw of power through a standard generator. However the wind I catching is far stronger than my generator can take, anything over a KW will kill my unit so I decided to make...
  24. K

    Are my calculations right? Also, not sure about a formula?

    Homework Statement Problem #1 A ball is thrown horizontally from the roof of a building 56m tall and lands 45m from the base. What was the ball's initial speed. Problem #2 A ball thrown horizontally at 22.2m/s from the roof of a building lands 36.0 meters from the base of the building. How...
  25. Z

    How to not mistakes with long calculations

    Does anyone have any advice for working with long calculations such as integrals of equations with 10 or more terms. I've been doing of the questions in my book and 99% of the time I'll make calculation errors when I do it by hand with a manual calculator even when I try to slow down! Do you...
  26. A

    Understanding Complex Power Calculations: Why is S = 1/2 * V * I?

    I don't have a question about a specific HW problem, just a general questions. When calculating complex power, I understand it's S = Veff*Ieff(conjugate). However, S can also be calculate as S = 1/2 * V * I. Why is this? I feel I'm missing something simple, but I'm pretty lost because...
  27. K

    Calculations about Bicycle Helmets

    I am doing a report on Bicycle Helmets and it's supposed to include calculations of some kind but as I am looking around and writing about it I'm not too sure what would be the best kinds of calculations to put into this that won't sound out of place. The report needs to tell about how it...
  28. S

    Harmonics in power calculations

    Greetings, I’m looking at the output of an electronic 3-phase meter. I have 2 “snapshots” from the meter. In one snapshot I can make sense of most of the data presented. The output gives me Va, Vb, Vc, Ia, Ib, Ic, and their angles, a single power factor, watts, VA, and VAR. When I...
  29. S

    How are cable sizing calculations performed?

    Can someone please guide me (with an example if possible) on Cable Sizing Calculations. I want to learn the step by step procedure alongwith calculations that are performed during the preparation of Cable Sizing Documents. Thanks in advance!
  30. W

    How Do You Evaluate Heating Options for a 3,000 Sqft Elementary School?

    looking to find out what it take to retro-fit a small elementry school ( 3,000sqft) with new base board heater or small boiler. to calculate the different fuels (electric vs natural gas) and amounts used? In NW: older rates (just for calculations) electric is $.0463/kWh vs 1st 2,000...
  31. A

    How to Calculate Uncertainty Errors in Derived Quantities?

    After measurements, the following values and their uncertainties were recorded: x = 8.3 ± 0.1 and y = 2.72 ± 0.07 Find the following values of Z a) Z = x + y b) Z = x - y c) Z = xy d) Z = x/y e) Z = y/[(x)^0.5] (this is y divided by the square root of x) f) Z = exp(y)...
  32. C

    Clueless on TM Calculations & Proving Infinitude

    I'm so very confused on how to go about these problems. Define a TM that for every n duplicates a string of the form 1^n, creating 1^n 0 1^n. Does the machine calculate any function? We're using the notion that a string of n+1 n's represents n. Basically, I've surmised that I need a...
  33. V

    Trouble with equations used in SHM calculations

    Hi everyone I'm having trouble using the equations for SHM calculations. We got told to set them on radians but I forgot to when I was doing the problems and got some of the answers right. But when I tried to do them when the calculator was set in radians, the answers were totally wrong...
  34. G

    Pump Selection/Head Calculations

    Hi everyone, I am in the process of putting together a water feature and am having trouble selecting the correct pump for the job. The pump will be required to pump water to a vertical distance of approx 7.4 meters. A submersible pump would be best. The pipe coming up from the pump is 12mm in...
  35. D

    Lead screw and frame calculations

    Hi I am new to the design game as it where and I have scoured books and the internet looking for calcs, examples, help with a design I am putting together which involves raising and lowering a heavy object using a lead screw. I know its not strictly CNC stuff but I believe someone may be able...
  36. H

    Chemistry How to Calculate Moles of Nitrogen in C7H5(NO2)3 from Oxygen in 12.6g of Sugar?

    Homework Statement Determine the number of moles of Nitrogen atoms in a sample of C7H5(NO2)3 that has the same number of oxygen atoms as 12.6 grams of sugar. Homework Equations Mole calculationsThe Attempt at a Solution First find the amount of moles of Oxygen in sugar. Multiply 12.6g by...
  37. I

    Pressure/GPM/Diameter Calculations

    I have been searching for a long time and can't figure this out. The formulas I find are way over my head. Anyhow, I am trying to find how much flow would go through 2 different sized pipes. One is 3/8" ID and the other is 1/2" ID. The 3/8" uses 26psi and the 1/2" uses 17psi. All I want...
  38. A

    Why Is My Calculated Speed of Sound Incorrect?

    Homework Statement We have to prove the speed of sound using a ultra-sound emitter, connected to EasySense software which records the speed for it to travel to surface and back. Known data - Speed of sound is 337 metres a second at 20 degrees celcius. Also, the distance covered is, 3.4m or...
  39. O

    Engineering Lab: Error Calculations - Help Needed!

    Hello yall I am new here. I am a first year student in engineering. I'm writing up a lab now and I am supposed to be showing the error. the error usually accurs when adding subtracting muliplying of dividing variables. Only I am a little clueless here. please help.
  40. K

    Quick question regrading calculations and measurements in Science

    Would the approach taken to measurements and calculations be the same for the many different branches of science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Earth science) that exist? Defend your answer by giving one example for reach branch of science listed. If someone could briefly answer this...
  41. G

    Help with Science calculations please

    Homework Statement Suppose that 500g of water vapor condense to make a cloud about the size of an average room. If we assume that the latent heat of condensation is 600cal/g, how much heat would be released to the air? If the total mass of air before condensation is 100kg, how much warmer...
  42. W

    How Do I Calculate the Right Hydraulic Motor for My Shredder Machine?

    Would like to know how to calculate which hydraulic motor to turn a 2-1/2 dia shaft at a length of 30",with 15 mounted rotating chewing disks for a shredder machine. We are shredding soils and clay at about 40 yds/hr. we are also using a No. 80 drive chain on 12 to 19 tooth sprocket too...
  43. H

    Work Calculations: Lift Object w/ Force > Weight?

    Hey guys, I understand that if you lift an object a short distance in the air that it takes work because you are moving against the the weight of the object through a distance. So the equation in my mind is W=mgdcos\Theta where \Theta=0. But what I can't figure out is what if I lift the object...
  44. S

    How do I calculate energy extraction in a heat engine?

    I have a qualitative understanding of a heat engine; that being that when heat moves through a heat engine from a source to a sink, an amount of energy that passes through the heat engine will be absorbed, until no heat gradient exists between the source and the sink The attachment is a...
  45. L

    What does next to next leading order calculations mean?

    me again... what are next to next leading order calculations in the standard model?
  46. M

    Electrostatic force calculations

    I am trying to calculate the forces in a system with a mix of conductive + dielectric components upon application of an AC potential. Frequencies are low enough that I need not consider magnetic field effects. I can solve equations to obtain the electric field, but at am a loss for force...
  47. K

    Looking for simple self energy calculations

    Hi everybody, I'm writing my QFT exam tomorrow and I know that there will be a self energy calculation. Since I am not that familiar with it, because we didn't do any self energy calculations in the exercises so far, I would like to do some simple calculations. I think the electron self...
  48. S

    Understanding Motion in Space Calculations

    Hello All, Noobie question. I am using Meeus' Astronomical Algorithims to creat a spreadsheet to transform coordinates. I had no problem with precession, nutation, aberration, etc. But, I don't have as good a math background for Motion in Space. I can follow down to the final formulas for...
  49. P

    J-space Calculations: Sources & Learning

    Hi, I'm currently studying my Quantum Mechanics notes from college last year and I've got to the bit about j-space calculations. The slide is very scant on details and google isn't yielding anything on this either. I would skip it but it seems important for deriving expressions such as...
  50. P

    J-Space Calcs - Learn Quantum Mechanics

    Hi, I'm currently studying my Quantum Mechanics notes from college last year and I've got to the bit about j-space calculations. The slide is very scant on details and google isn't yielding anything on this either. I would skip it but it seems important for deriving expressions such as...
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