DEFINITION of 'Actuarial Science '. A discipline that assesses financial risks in the insurance and finance fields using mathematical and statistical methods. Actuarial science applies the mathematics of probability and statistics to define, analyze and solve the financial implications of uncertain future events. Traditional actuarial science largely revolves around the analysis of mortality and the production of life tables, and the application of compound interest. Next Up.
The result is a smaller difference between high and low tides and is known as a neap tide. Neap tides are especially weak tides. They occur when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun are perpendicular to one another (with respect to the Earth). Neap tides occur during quarter moons.
When the Moon pulls the Earth, it's pulling the water as well. It takes 6 hours to change from high tide to low tide, and vice versa. High tide is for 12 hours and low tide is for 12 hours. Also, the tides are caused by the Earth's rotations.