Amortized cost
= Amortized cost
{title2=$\widehat c_i$}
In the <potential method>, an operation's <amortized cost> is $\widehat c_i=c_i+\Phi_i-\Phi_{i-1}$. It can exceed or fall below its actual cost $c_i$. The endpoint potentials determine how the total charge compares with the total actual cost.