calculation

{{short description|Deliberate process that transforms inputs to outputs with variable change}}

{{confused|Computation}}

{{For|the card game|Calculation (game)}}

{{More citations needed|date=August 2019}}

{{Calculation results}}

A calculation is a deliberate mathematical process that transforms a plurality of inputs into a singular or plurality of outputs, known also as a result or 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. Extracting the square root or the cube root of a number using mathematical models 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.{{cite web|url=https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/calculate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180831035348/https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/calculate|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 31, 2018|title=calculate {{!}} Definition of calculate in English by Oxford Dictionaries|website=Oxford Dictionaries {{!}} English|access-date=2018-08-30}} The English word derives from the Latin {{lang|la|calculus}}, which originally meant a pebble (from Latin {{lang|la|calx}}), for instance the small stones used as a counters on an abacus ({{langx|la|abacus|link=no}}, {{langx|el|ἄβαξ|translit=abax|translit-std=ALA-LC}}). 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.