Which definition best matches the word compute?

• A. to determine by using a calculator or computer
• B. to estimate roughly
• C. to measure precisely
• D. to calculate

Answer: (D)

Compute means to determine a numerical result by performing mathematical operations. It’s essentially the same idea as calculate, so the best definition is to calculate, since that captures the act of finding a number through calculation—whether by mental math or with a tool. Using a calculator or computer is a common way to compute, but it isn’t the defining feature. Estimating roughly isn’t about exact calculation, and measuring precisely is about obtaining a measurement rather than performing calculation to arrive at a number.