Calculate vs Estimate - What's the difference?
calculate | estimate |
(mathematics) To determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process.
(mathematics) To determine values or solutions by a mathematical process; reckon.
(intransitive, US, dialect) To plan; to expect; to think.
*, chapter=1
, title= To ascertain or predict by mathematical or astrological computations the time, circumstances, or other conditions of; to forecast or compute the character or consequences of.
* (William Shakespeare)
To adjust for purpose; to adapt by forethought or calculation; to fit or prepare by the adaptation of means to an end.
* Archbishop Tillotson
A rough calculation or guess.
(construction and business) A document (or verbal notification) specifying how much a job will probably cost.
* {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne
, title=Well Tackled!
, chapter=3 To calculate roughly, often from imperfect data.
* {{quote-book, year=1965, author=Ian Hacking, title=Logic of Statistical Inference, passage=I estimate that I need 400 board feet of lumber to complete a job, and then order 350 because I do not want a surplus, or perhaps order 450 because I do not want to make any subsequent orders.
* '>citation
To judge and form an opinion of the value of, from imperfect data.
* John Locke
* J. C. Shairp
As verbs the difference between calculate and estimate
is that calculate is to determine the value of something or the solution to something by a mathematical process while estimate is to calculate roughly, often from imperfect data.As a noun estimate is
a rough calculation or guess.calculate
English
Verb
(calculat)Mr. Pratt's Patients, chapter=1 , passage=I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated , might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.}}
- A cunning man did calculate my birth.
- [Religion] is calculated for our benefit.
Synonyms
* (determine value of or solution to) compute, reckon (old), work out * (determine values or solutions) compute, reckon (old)Derived terms
* calculatingExternal links
* * ----estimate
English
Alternative forms
* (archaic)Noun
(en noun)citation, passage=“They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”}}
Synonyms
* estimation * appraisalDerived terms
* ballpark estimateVerb
citation
- It is by the weight of silver, and not the name of the piece, that men estimate commodities and exchange them.
- It is always very difficult to estimate the age in which you are living.