Dictionary Definition
calculate
Verb
1 make a mathematical calculation or computation
[syn: cipher, cypher, compute, work out,
reckon, figure]
3 keep an account of [syn: account]
4 predict in advance [syn: forecast]
6 have faith or confidence in; "you can count on
me to help you any time"; "Look to your friends for support"; "You
can bet on that!"; "Depend on your family in times of crisis" [syn:
count, bet, depend, look, reckon]
User Contributed Dictionary
English
Etymology
From Latin calcularePronunciation
- /kæɫkjuːleɪt/
Verb
- To determine the value of something or the solution to
something by a mathematical process.
- Calculate the square root of 3 to 10 decimal places.
- To determine values or solutions by a mathematical process.
- To plan something, especially something morally wrong.
Synonyms
Translations
(transitive) to determine value
- Catalan: calcular
- Croatian: kalkulirati, izračunati
- Czech: spočítat
- Dutch: berekenen, uitwerken
- Esperanto: kalkuli
- Finnish: laskea
- French: calculer
- German: kalkulieren, berechnen, ausrechnen
- Hebrew: לחשב (le'khashev)
- Hungarian: kiszámít
- Italian: calcolare
- Japanese: 計算 (keisansuru) する (けいさんする)
- Korean: 정산하다 (jeongsanhada)
- Polish: wyliczać, kalkulować
- Portuguese: calcular
- Russian: вычислять, считать, подсчитывать
- Spanish: calcular
- Swedish: beräkna, räkna ut
(intransitive) determine values or solutions
(intransitive) plan
- ttbc Arabic: حسب (hasaba)
- Dutch: plannen, uitwerken
- Finnish: sunnitella, laskelmoida
- German: kalkulieren, sich etwas ausrechnen
- Hungarian: kikalkulál, kitervel
- Japanese: たくらむ(takuramu)
- Korean: 꾀하다 (kkoehada)
- Swedish: beräkna, räkna ut
Derived terms
Related terms
Extensive Definition
A calculation is a deliberate process for
transforming one or more inputs into one or more results, with
variable change.
The term is used in a variety of senses, from the
very definite arithmetical calculation
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.
Multiplying 7 by 8 is a simple algorithmic
calculation.
Estimating the fair price for financial
instruments using the Black-Scholes
model is a complex algorithmic calculation.
Statistical
estimations of the likely election results from opinion polls
also involve algorithmic calculations, but give results that are
ranges of possibilities rather than exact answers.
Deciding the best way to build a relationship
with a member of the opposite sex may also result from a
calculation, but is not definite, predictable, nor even clearly
defined. This indefinite application of the term gives it a second
area of meaning apart from the mathematical senses
mentioned above.
To calculate means to ascertain by computing. 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 an iron bars.
See also
calculate in German: Rechnen
calculate in Spanish: Cálculo aritmético
calculate in French: Calcul
(mathématiques)
calculate in Galician: Cálculo
calculate in Korean: 계산
calculate in Interlingua (International
Auxiliary Language Association): Calculo (mathematica)
calculate in Italian: Calcolo (matematica)
calculate in Hebrew: חישוב
calculate in Latin: Calculus
calculate in Japanese: 計算
calculate in Russian: Вычисление
calculate in Volapük: Kalkulam
calculate in Contenese: 計算
calculate in Chinese: 计算
Synonyms, Antonyms and Related Words
add, add
up, algebraize,
appraise, appreciate, arrange, ascertain, assay, assess, bank on, build on,
calibrate, caliper, cast, check a parameter, cipher, compute, concert, consider, contrive, count, count on, cut out, depend, design, determine, devise, dial, discover, divide, dope out, estimate, evaluate, extract roots,
fathom, figure, figure in, figure out,
forecast, forethink, frame, gauge, graduate, intend, lay plans, lot, make a projection, make
arrangements, measure,
mensurate, mete, meter, methodize, multiply, organize, pace, plan, plan ahead, plot, plumb, prearrange, premeditate, preresolve, price, prize, probe, program, project, quantify, quantize, rate, rationalize, reckon, reckon on, schedule, schematize, scheme, score, set up, shape, size, size up, sound, span, step, study, subtract, survey, systematize, take a reading,
take account of, tally,
triangulate, trust
in, valuate, value, weigh, work out, work out
beforehand, work up