Teacher Discussion Forums

Hello I need help to undertand the meaning of a sentence. The problem is the word "inform" Is it possible to use the word "inform" in the following way and, if it is, what is the meaning of the sentence?

"HE HAD INVENTED A MECHANICAL DEVICE DESIGNED TO INFORM COMPLICATED MATHEMATICAL PROBLEMS"

I badly need to clear this up in my mind to explain it to my students. Thank you very much for your concern.

i think the word"inform" cannot be used in this sentence, it's very strange when reading this sentence, maybe we can use other word to replace it.