The actuaries of that time developed methods to construct easily-used tables, using sophisticated approximations called commutation functions, to facilitate timely, accurate, manual calculations of premiums .

Firstly, the number 60 is a superior highly composite number, having divisors of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 30, 60 (including those that are themselves composite), facilitating calculations with fractions.

But to facilitate calculations of sample size, the formulation is slightly changed from their original one.

To facilitate calculations, a complex field E(t) is defined.

Stecchini and others propose the Greek podes are different sizes because they are divided into different numbers of different sized daktylos to facilitate different calculations.

This second step may be skipped, except for the left most digit, but following it may facilitate calculations later on.

"Numéraire goods" are goods with a fixed price of 1 used to facilitate calculations when only the relative prices are relevant, as in general equilibrium theory or in effect for base-year dollars.

The sliding bead facilitates trigonometric calculations with the instrument.

Pegolotti adds tables of comparison of each city's weights and measures with those of others to facilitate calculations.

A number of scales are inscribed upon the instrument which facilitate various mathematical calculations.