noun

computation

kom-pyuh-TAY-shun/ˌkɑːmpjuˈteɪʃn/

The process of working out a result through calculation.

The woman uses wooden counters to check her computation of the sum.

An older white woman calculating a small arithmetic sum with wooden counters and a notebook, only the functional equation 3+2=5, no words.

Etymology

comLatintogether

+putLatinto reckon; originally to prune

+ationLatinaction or process

Together and reckon give the idea of reckoning together or summing up. The noun ending makes computation the act or process of that calculation, rather than the amount obtained.

In context

Byte Goose AI.18:27

calculate the gradient with respect to that fixed point without explicitly unrolling the entire computation path

[HRM] Hierarchical Reasoning: Universal Computation from Latent Reasoning. HRM Model Architecture.

More examples

A small error in the computation changes the final total.
She checks her computations with a calculator.
This formula simplifies the computation of the average.

Forms

computation · computations

compute verb — Work out a result by calculation.

Similar words

calculation: The closest alternative, used more broadly in everyday contexts.
reckoning: Often refers to counting totals, especially amounts of money.