All calculations used to make a decision in the laboratory report should be included in an
appendix so the work can be reproduced. Lengthy computer programs or printouts may be
stored electronically and referenced in the laboratory report by directory and file name.
Sample calculations for all results, graphs, etc. showing how you got your results. This section
is critical. It must be clear and unambiguous as to where all values come from. Cite references
for correlations and values for physical properties (i.e., thermal conductivity). State
assumptions. Check assumptions whenever possible. Calculations can be handwritten if clear,
but computer-generated equations are preferred. Ease of following, clarity, source of all
numbers used, and completeness (not ambiguous) are more important than word-processing
skills.
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One sample of every engineering calculation must be shown. This is often most conveniently
done by taking a single run and showing how the results are obtained from the tabulated data.
This section is very important for your grade. It must be clear. All equations should be
numbered if needed for reference in the text. It might be useful to think of this section as a
textbook that you are writing for a beginning student.