Determining how big they are, however, is both important to fundamental physics and extremely difficult.
Finally, gravitational lensing may help cosmologists determine how big the universe is and how quickly it is expanding.
These evaluations also determine how big a mortgage an applicant is likely to be able to repay.
When they eventually determine how big the reserves are, they will have to decide how to share them.
The Co-op Group has more pressing troubles, like resolving its bitter internal debate over governance and determining how big a writedown is required on its supermarket assets.
"That will determine how big the recall is," with officials hoping to recall any Washington beef that may have become mixed with and contaminated by the diseased cow.
To determine how big the spillway needs to be, it is critical to know how much water might be impounded behind the dam each year.
Although the AfterWork Web site says "No audition required," participants are still evaluated by the creative team to determine how big their roles will be.
The F.H.A. appraiser takes the consultant's report into account when reviewing a property and determining how big the loan can be.
But since the company did not attach a copy of the contract to the proxy or to the earlier filings, investors had no way to determine how big it could be.
Devising a new bailout that would include voluntary private sector involvement, so it would not be classified as a default, will be complex, said one official not authorized to speak publicly, because the amount that the private sector agrees to contribute will largely determine how big a gap reluctant European governments will have to fill.
