History Main / VisualCalculus

While this trope usually suggests intelligence, it can also show up in more mundane situations and even represent being ''unable'' to understand the calculations involved. When parodied, it may end with them having [[AccordingToMyCalculations calculated]] something entirely useless. It also doesn't strictly need to represent human thoughts and works just as well surrounding a machine doing advanced computations. The involvement of [[{{Hologram}} holograms]] or [[FormulaicMagic math magic]] may also justify this trope's visible.

This trope often overlaps with ExpositionDiagram, SherlockScan, and EEqualsMCHammer.

* ''Anime/KaguyaSamaLoveIsWar'': During episode 1, Shirogine and Kaguya's internal machinations are represented as layers of math equations streaming behind them.

While this trope usually suggests intelligence, it can also show up in more mundane situations and even represent being ''unable'' to understand the calculations involved. When parodied, it may end with them having [[AccordingToMyCalculations calculated]] something entirely useless. It also doesn't strictly need to represent human thoughts and works just as well surrounding a machine doing advanced computations. The involvement of [[{{Hologram}} holograms]] or [[FormulaicMagic math magic]] may also justify this trope becoming visible.

This makes a certain amount of sense when analyzing physical geometry in front of someone. Things however get more troubled once unrelated math equations ''also'' begin floating around, especially if the characters are [[InnerThoughtsOutsiderPuzzlement inexplicably]] ''looking'' at them in 3D space.

* ''Series/{{Sherlock}}'': Sherlock accessing his [[MemoryPalace Mind Palace]] is styled like visual calculus, although he only rarely uses it to crunch numbers.

While AwesomenessByAnalysis can be very cool, it's not an ability that translate well in visual mediums -- at least not without some help. One straightforward way to make a character's calculations striking is to superimpose their internal math outside themselves, in an abstract (but visible) form.

This make a certain amount of sense when analyzing physical geometry infront of someone. Things however get more troubled once unrelated math equations ''also'' begin floating around, especially if the characters are [[InnerThoughtsOutsiderPuzzlement inexplicably]] ''looking'' at them in 3D space.

While math formulas are the most common variation of this, there are many other options. Trajectories can be plotted, simulations can be run, puzzle pieces can be visually combined. What matters is that it is projected on top of reality so the "calculating" can be visually seen and felt in parallel with reality. These calculations are sometimes combined with other visuals, although it tends to stays within a shared aesthetic palette (generally resembling glowing blueprints or chalk drawings).

While this trope usually suggests intelligence, it can also show up in more mundane situations and even represent being ''unable'' to understand the calculations involved. When parodied, it may end with them having [[AccordingToMyCalculations calculated]] something entirely useless. It also doesn't strictly need to represent human thoughts, and works just as well surrounding a machine doing advanced computations. The involvement of [[{{Hologram}} holograms]] or [[FormulaicMagic math magic]] may also justify this trope becoming visible.

This trope often overlap with ExpositionDiagram, SherlockScan and EEqualsMCHammer.

Compare RebusBubble which uses thought bubbles for conceptual addition. Contrast TheBigBoard, for when the calculations are diagetically written down instead.

* The [[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/math-lady-confused-lady "Confused Math Lady" meme]] is a combination of clips from a Brazilian telenovela ''Senhora Do Destino'' with various math equations/diagrams superimposed over it. This MemeticMutation is partially responsible for a recent popularity of using Visual Calculus to represent confusion.

* ''WesternAnimation/SkylandersAcademy'': In "Days of Future Crash", [[spoiler:Dark Spyro]] formulates a simple plan of taking advantage of Eruptor being in an essay predictament to try and get closer to his goal. And he formulates it with numbers floating around him and applying mathemetics when his plan doesn't involve numbers at all.

* ''WesternAnimation/MrPeabodyAndSherman'': Mr. Peabody being Awesome By Analysis frequently uses visualized diagrams and equations in 3D space, allowing him to formulate complex plans with mathematical precision.

* ''Webcomic/{{Paranatural}}'': When Johnny wishes Stephan was here to figure out [[spoiler:what is going on during the hitball game]]. Floating [[EEqualsMCHammer nonsense equations]] surround Stephen to represent his conspiratorial thinking and absurd ability to make connections between things.

[[folder:Web Original]]
* The [[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/math-lady-confused-lady "Confused Math Lady" meme]] is a combination of clips from a Brazilian telenovela ''Senhora Do Destino'' with various math equations/diagrams superimposed over it. This MemeticMutation is partially responsible for a recent popularity of using Visual Calculus to represent confusion.
* In ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'', Kat has a breakthrough on how to design a new type of robot in Chapter 29, after observing a baby pigeon flapping its wings; this breakthrough is symbolized by [[https://www.gunnerkrigg.com/?p=755 a diagram measuring its skeletal structure and angles of its arms]].
* ''WebComic/{{Paranatural}}'': When Johnny wishes Stephan was here to figure out [[spoiler:what is going on during the hitball game]]. Floating [[EEqualsMCHammer nonsense equations]] surround Stephen to represent his conspiratorial thinking and absurd ability to make connections between things.

[[folder:Western Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/MrPeabodyAndSherman'': Mr. Peabody being Awesome By Analysis frequently uses visualized diagrams and equations in 3D space, allowing him to formulate complex plans with mathematical precision.

[[/folder]]

While math formulas are the most common variation of this, there are many other options. Trajectories can be plotted, simulations can be run, puzzle pieces can be visually combined. What matters is that it is projected ontop of reality so the "calculating" can be visually seen and felt in parallel with reality. These calculations are sometimes combined with other visuals, although it tends to stays within a shared aesthetic palette (generally resembling glowing blueprints or chalk drawings).

* The [[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/math-lady-confused-lady "Confused Math Lady" meme]] is a combination of clips from a Brazilian telenovela ''Series/SenhoraDoDestino'' with various math equations/diagrams superimposed over it. This MemeticMutation is partially responsible for a recent popularity of using Visual Calculus to represent confusion.

Named for the player stat in ''VideoGame/DiscoElysium''.

Compare RebusBubble which uses thought bubbles for conceptual addition. Contrast TheBigBoard, for when the calculations are diagetically written down instead.

Supertrope to AugmentedReality and MatrixFallingCode.

If done from a robotic perspective, it probably falls under AugmentedReality. Compare RebusBubble which uses thought bubbles for conceptual addition. Contrast TheBigBoard, for when the calculations are diagetically written down instead.

If done from a robotic perspective, it probably falls under AugmentedReality, RoboCam or HeadsUpDisplay. Compare RebusBubble which uses thought bubbles for conceptual addition. Contrast TheBigBoard, for when the calculations are diagetically written down instead.

[[folder:Film - Live Action]]

* ''Series/TheLibrarians2014'': Justified. Due to a malignant brain tumor, Cassandra, already an intelligent scientist and mathematician, developed synesthesia, linking all five of her senses to her memory. The hallucinations caused by this allow her to process information and solve complex equations at incredible speeds, which the show depicts in the form of glowing calculations and images. However, [[CursedWithAwesome the fact that the tumor which jumpstarted the ability will one day kill her and can overwhelm her once triggered]], causing PsychicNosebleed, makes her use it only sparingly [[spoiler: until she is able to get the tumor removed in "And the Eternal Question", which unexpectedly makes the ability even stronger.]]

[[folder:Video Game]]

[[folder: Web Original]]

* ''WebComic/{{Paranatural}}'': When Johnny wishes Stephan was here to figure out [[spoiler: what is going on during the hitball game]]. Floating [[EEqualsMCHammer nonsense equations]] surround Stephen to represent his conspiratorial thinking and absurd ability to make connections between things.

[[folder: Western Animation]]

'''INDEX''':
* MathTropes
* PaintingTheMedium