Computation for Dummies

Computation is a word that might sound quite complex, but don't worry, I'm here to break it down for you. To put it simply, computation refers to the process of performing calculations or solving problems using a computer or a mathematical method. It's like the brain of a computer that helps it carry out tasks and solve problems, just like we use our own brains to think and solve problems in our everyday lives.

When you use a computer or a calculator to add, subtract, multiply, or divide numbers, that is an example of computation. But it's not just limited to basic arithmetic operations; computation can also involve more complex and sophisticated mathematical calculations or analyzing large amounts of data to find patterns and make predictions.

Imagine you have a big box filled with different kinds of puzzle pieces. You want to find out how many red pieces there are in the box. So what do you do? You start counting, right? Well, that's sort of what computation is like. It's like the process of counting and figuring out things, but instead of doing it with your own hands and eyes, you use a computer or math methods to make things easier and faster.

Now, here comes another interesting thing about computation. It can have more than one meaning or definition, just like some words have different meanings depending on how we use them in different contexts.

In one context, computation refers to the specific process of carrying out mathematical calculations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. These are the basic operations we learn in math class that help us solve problems and understand numbers better. So when we use a machine, a program, or even a person's brain to perform these calculations, we can say that we are engaging in computation.

But in another context, computation has a broader meaning. It can refer to any process or method used to solve problems or perform tasks using a computer. This means that when we use software programs, algorithms, or coding languages to solve complex problems or analyze data, we are also engaged in computation.

So, to sum it all up, computation is like the brain or the thinking part of a computer that helps it perform calculations and solve problems. It involves using a computer or math methods to figure things out, just like we count and reason using our own brains. And remember, depending on the context, computation can refer to the specific process of carrying out basic math operations or the broader process of solving problems using computers.