Meaning of do the math | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To perform a mathematical calculation.
   US
2. To determine the explanation for or precise nature of a situation, such as the motive underlying someone's behavior, based on available facts.
   US, idiomatic

Examples

“Before my family left for Rome, I did the math. Over 11 days, with a lunch and a light⟳ dinner, each of us could taste⟳ approximately 55 dishes.”

“Gore has looked into buying cable channel News World International. Despite initial reports, Gore's camp says he and his backers intend⟳ to make⟳ the channel not a liberal mouthpiece but a "hip" news channel. […] Maybe; maybe not. (Gore has long complained about the undue influence⟳ of conservatives on talk⟳ radio and Fox News, so you do the math.)”

““The child has marks all over. I saw⟳ them when I took her to the bathroom. Ian, she is hurting this child. Now I don't know⟳ for sure what's going on here, and maybe it's none of my business. Nevertheless, even I can do the math. […] You can't let⟳ her keep⟳ this child for one more day.””

““I can’t tell⟳ you what we’re going back to consider⟳,” said Darrell Jordan, a special prosecutor assigned to the case, who cited Texas law regarding grand jury secrecy. “But you can do the math and figure⟳ out what it is.””

CEFR level