figure \fig"ure\, v. i.
   1. to make a figure; to be distinguished or conspicious; as,
      the envoy figured at court.
      1913 webster

            sociable, hospitable, eloquent, admired, figuring
            away brilliantly.                     --m. arnold.
      1913 webster

   2. to calculate; to contrive; to scheme; as, he is figuring
      to secure the nomination. colloq.
      1913 webster

   go figure a phrase used by itself as an interjection to
      mean "how can one explain that?", or to express puzzlement
      over some seeming contradiction. colloq.
      pjc
see also:
go figure