computation

/ˈkɑmpjəˌteɪʃən/

/kɒmpjuˈteɪʃɪn/

Other forms: computations

Computation is what you do when you calculate something, like a simple math problem or something involving quantum mechanics or — worse — even your taxes.

People have invented all kinds of machines to help with computation, from the abacus to the computer, and, in fact, when computers were first invented (and when one computer could easily fill a large room), using a computer was called computation. Much of what made computers so revolutionary was that in a relatively short time they could do a complex mathematical computation that would take a human many lifetimes to do.

Definitions of computation

1. noun

   the procedure of calculating; determining something by mathematical or logical methods
   synonyms: calculation, computing

   types:

   transposition

   (mathematics) the transfer of a quantity from one side of an equation to the other along with a change of sign

   number crunching

   performing complex and lengthy numerical calculations

   mathematical operation, mathematical process, operation

   (mathematics) calculation by mathematical methods

   recalculation

   the act of calculating again (usually to eliminate errors or to include additional data)

   permutation

   the act of changing the arrangement of a given number of elements

   combination

   the act of arranging elements into specified groups without regard to order

   differentiation

   the mathematical process of obtaining the derivative of a function

   maximisation, maximization

   the mathematical process of finding the maximum value of a function

   integration

   an operation used in the calculus whereby the integral of a function is determined

   exponentiation, involution

   the process of raising a quantity to some assigned power

   arithmetic operation

   a mathematical operation involving numbers

   matrix operation

   a mathematical operation involving matrices

   construction

   drawing a figure satisfying certain conditions as part of solving a problem or proving a theorem

   relaxation, relaxation method

   a method of solving simultaneous equations by guessing a solution and then reducing the errors that result by successive approximations until all the errors are less than some specified amount

   type of:

   procedure, process

   a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
2. noun

   problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
   synonyms: calculation, figuring, reckoning

   types:

   extrapolation

   (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function outside the range of known values

   interpolation

   (mathematics) calculation of the value of a function between the values already known

   conversion

   a change in the units or form of an expression: "conversion from Fahrenheit to Centigrade"

   approximation, estimate, estimation, idea

   an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth

   derivative, derived function, differential, differential coefficient, first derivative

   the result of mathematical differentiation; the instantaneous change of one quantity relative to another; df(x)/dx

   integral

   the result of a mathematical integration; F(x) is the integral of f(x) if dF/dx = f(x)

   scalage

   estimation of the amount of lumber in a log

   curvature

   the rate of change (at a point) of the angle between a curve and a tangent to the curve

   data conversion

   conversion from one way of encoding data to another way

   digitisation, digitization

   conversion of analog information into digital information

   credit, credit rating

   an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments

   dead reckoning, guess, guessing, guesswork, shot

   an estimate based on little or no information

   guesstimate, guestimate

   an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing

   overestimate, overestimation, overrating, overreckoning

   a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high

   underestimate, underestimation, underrating, underreckoning

   an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value

   partial, partial derivative

   the derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant

   indefinite integral

   the set of functions F(x) + C, where C is any real number, such that F(x) is the integral of f(x)

   definite integral

   the integral of a function over a definite interval

   type of:

   problem solving

   the thought processes involved in solving a problem