Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process or act of performing mathematical operations to determine a numerical result: This is the most common meaning, referring to the use of numbers, formulas, or logical methods to compute an answer.
   • Careful thought and planning, especially regarding consequences or advantages: This meaning refers to a deliberate, often cautious, mental process of considering various factors before making a decision or taking action.

Usage

• Mathematical/Logical Process: Use "calculation" when describing the act of computing numbers, solving quantitative problems, or determining something through a defined procedure.
  • The engineer's precise calculation ensured the bridge's safety.
  • We need to do a quick calculation to split the bill.
• Deliberate Planning: Use "calculation" to describe an action or decision that is the result of careful, often self-interested, planning.
  • His every move was a product of cold calculation.
  • There was no malice in her actions, just poor calculation of the risks.

Examples

• Mathematical Context:
  • The calculation of the rocket's trajectory took several hours.
  • My calculation shows we need 15 liters of paint for this room.
• Context of Deliberate Planning:
  • Her success was not due to luck but to shrewd political calculation.
  • The decision to delay the launch was a calculation based on market data.

Advanced Usage

• "By my calculation": Used to introduce a result one has figured out.
  • By my calculation, we should arrive just before sunset.
• "A cold calculation": Refers to a plan made without emotion, often selfishly.
  • Laying off long-term employees was a cold calculation to save the company.

Variants and Related Words

• Calculate (verb): To perform a mathematical operation or to plan deliberately.
  • You need to calculate the interest on the loan.
• Calculating (adjective): Often describes a person who is shrewd and plans actions carefully for personal gain.
  • He is a calculating businessman who rarely makes emotional decisions.
• Calculator (noun): An electronic device or a person who performs calculations.
  • I used a calculator to check my math.

Synonyms

• Computation: (For the mathematical sense) The action of mathematical calculation.
• Deliberation: (For the planning sense) Long and careful consideration.
• Reckoning: The action of calculating or estimating something.

Related Phrases

• Miscalculation: An error in calculation or judgment.
  • A serious miscalculation of the budget caused the project to fail.
• Back-of-the-envelope calculation: A rough, informal estimate.
  • He did a quick back-of-the-envelope calculation to see if the idea was feasible.

Noun

1. planning something carefully and intentionally
   • it was the deliberation of his act that was insulting
2. problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
3. the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods