calculation
/,kælkju'leiʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- planning something carefully and intentionally
- it was the deliberation of his act that was insulting
- problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
- the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods