computation

computation — noun

1. the action of working out a number, answer, or result by following a set of math

1.名詞B2
釋義

the action of working out a number, answer, or result by following a set of mathematical or logical rules, often using a computer or other device

例句

Zuri's computation of the monthly budget took less than five minutes.

countable: computation + of + [what is computed]

The engineers checked the computation twice before sharing the result.

同義詞
  • calculation

    more general; used for simple mental math as well as complex processes, while computation often implies a systematic or multi-step procedure

  • reckoning

    dated or formal; rarely used in modern contexts except in fixed phrases like 'day of reckoning'

  • arithmetic

    narrower in scope; refers specifically to basic operations on numbers, not the broader process

文法句型

computation + of + [what is computed]

perform/carry out + a computation

用法筆記

Often used in technical or academic contexts. Can be uncountable when referring to the general process ('computation is essential to modern science') or countable when referring to a single act or its result ('the three computations gave different answers'). More formal than calculation in everyday speech.

常見錯誤

❌I did some quick computation in my head.
✅I did some quick calculation in my head.
💡Computation usually implies a systematic or machine-assisted process, not simple mental arithmetic.
❌The computer did a computation.
✅The computer performed a computation.
💡'Perform a computation' is the more natural verb + noun collocation in technical English.