calculation
gb/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/ us/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
B1
Anglais
~ 6400
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
action
1
process of working with numbers
The action of using numbers to find an answer.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] does a calculation of [amount]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes say *"make the maths"* or *"do the math calculation"* instead of simply *"do a calculation"* or *"do the math"*. Another issue is confusing *calculation* with *counting*: *calculation* usually involves operations like adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing, or using formulas, not just saying numbers in order.
Synonymes
computation (More technical; often used in mathematics, computing, or science.)
|
working out (More informal; especially used in British English for the steps of a math problem.)
Antonymes
guess (Suggests giving an answer without using a careful numeric process.)
Collocations
do a calculation
|make a calculation
|perform a calculation
|complex calculation
|quick calculation
|back-of-the-envelope calculation
Thèmes
math
|science
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The engineer did a quick calculation to see if the bridge design was safe.
- These tax calculations must follow the new government rules exactly.
- The whole calculation can be done on a simple calculator.
- Modern computers can perform billions of calculations every second.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He did a quick calculation in his head.
- Please do a calculation of our total costs.
- The teacher showed us each step of the calculation.
- This app can do the calculation for you.
unknown
B1
entity
2
number you get after calculating
The number or answer you get after you calculate something.
Schéma d’usage :
according to [someone]'s calculations, [clause]
Erreur fréquente :
Some learners use *calculation* only for the process and forget it can also mean the final answer. For example, *"According to my result"* is unnatural; it is better to say *"According to my calculations"* when introducing a number or conclusion you reached by calculating.
Synonymes
result (General word for an outcome; *calculation* stresses that it was found by calculating.)
|
figure (Often used for a single number, especially in financial or statistical contexts.)
Antonymes
miscalculation (Refers to a calculation that produces a wrong result, the opposite of a correct calculation.)
Collocations
according to my calculations
|check your calculations
|your calculations are wrong
|error in the calculations
|based on these calculations
Thèmes
math
|business
|science
|education
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- According to my calculations, we will need at least $5,000.
- Your calculations are wrong; we actually lost money last year.
- The accountant double-checked his calculations before sending the report.
- Her rough calculations showed that the project would take six months.
Exemples pédagogiques
- According to my calculations, the train will arrive at 6 p.m.
- His calculations were not correct.
- Please check your calculations before you hand in the test.
- My calculations show that we do not have enough money.
Nom
C1
entity
3
careful planning for advantage
Careful, planned thinking to get what you want, often in a cold or selfish way.
Schéma d’usage :
[an action] is a matter of [pure] calculation
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes think this meaning is always neutral, like simple math. In phrases such as *"cold calculation"* or *"political calculation"*, the word often suggests negative ideas like selfishness, manipulation, or a lack of emotion.
Synonymes
planning (More neutral and positive; does not always suggest cold or selfish motives.)
|
scheming (Stronger negative sense; suggests secret, dishonest, or manipulative planning.)
Antonymes
impulsiveness (Acting quickly without careful thought or planning, the opposite of calculation.)
Collocations
political calculation
|cold calculation
|ruthless calculation
|pure calculation
|careful calculation
|strategic calculation
Thèmes
politics
|business
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His apology seemed less like regret and more like cold calculation.
- The timing of the announcement was pure political calculation.
- There was a clear calculation in the way she chose her words during the interview.
- Voters are tired of leaders whose every move is driven by calculation.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The move to a new office was not random; it was careful calculation.
- Some people say the marriage was more about calculation than love.
- There is a lot of political calculation before an election.
- His friendly style hides a lot of cold calculation.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
calculation
API
GB/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
US/kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
cal - cu - la - tion (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (la)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: calculation
- Plural: calculation, calculations
Famille de mots
Forms
calculations
noun
Core family
calculate
verb B1
calculator
noun A2
Related words
recalculate
verb
recalculation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
miscalculate
verb
miscalculation
noun
Advanced or less common
calculable
adjective
incalculable
adjective
Expressions
according to my calculations
1/əkˈɔɹdɪŋ tə mˈaɪ kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
more formal ‘by my calculations’
A slightly more formal way to say that the number or result you give comes from your own calculations.
Exemples
- According to my calculations, the company will break even next year.
- According to my calculations, the journey should take about four hours in total.
back-of-the-envelope calculation
1/bˈæk əv ðə ˈɛnvəlˌoʊp kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
quick rough numerical estimate
A fast and simple calculation that gives only a rough idea of the answer, not an exact number.
Exemples
- A back-of-the-envelope calculation showed that the project would cost around a million dollars.
- Even a back-of-the-envelope calculation tells you that the plan is too expensive.
by my calculations
1/bˈaɪ mˈaɪ kˌælkjəlˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
according to the math I did
Used before you say a number or result that you found by calculating it yourself.
Exemples
- By my calculations, we should arrive just before midnight.
- By my calculations, you’ll need at least three more credits to graduate.
- By my calculations, this plan will save us about 20 percent.