calculation

mathematics

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

Calculation is the process of performing mathematical operations to determine a value. It is a fundamental aspect of mathematics, encompassing arithmetic, which deals with numbers and their relationships. Arithmetic involves basic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, as well as more advanced concepts like exponents and roots. Historically, calculations were crucial for tasks such as determining dates for religious holidays and were transmitted through texts like those based on Pythagorean number theory. The development of Hindu-Arabic numerals and later, computational tools like abacuses and eventually computers, revolutionized calculation methods. Numerical analysis, a field combining mathematics and computer science, focuses on creating algorithms to solve problems with numerical solutions, especially those too complex for direct calculation.12345

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

5 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

chemical bonding
Computational approaches to molecular structure
In the semiempirical approach, the calculation draws on a number of experimentally determined characteristics to help in the overall calculation. In the ab initio approach, the calculation proceeds from first principles (the Schrödinger equation) and makes no use of imported information. The former approach was dominant in the 1970s, but…
Read More
In the semiempirical approach, the calculation draws on a number of experimentally determined characteristics to help in the overall calculation. In the ab initio approach, the calculation proceeds from first principles (the Schrödinger equation) and makes no use of imported information. The former approach was dominant in the 1970s, but…
Read More

mathematics
Numerical calculation
The development of new methods of numerical calculation was a response to the increased practical demands of numerical computation, particularly in trigonometry, navigation, and astronomy. New ideas spread quickly across Europe and resulted by 1630 in a major revolution in numerical practice.
Read More
The development of new methods of numerical calculation was a response to the increased practical demands of numerical computation, particularly in trigonometry, navigation, and astronomy. New ideas spread quickly across Europe and resulted by 1630 in a major revolution in numerical practice.
Read More