Numerical

Numerical

Adjective · /njuːˈmer.ɪ.kəl/

Definition

Of, relating to, or expressed in numbers; involving or concerning numbers; measured or expressed as a number rather than by words; (of an analysis or method) using numbers to approximate solutions to mathematical problems rather than using exact algebraic methods.

Origin

From Medieval Latin numericus (of number) + -al, from Latin numerus (number), from Proto-Indo-European *nem- (to assign, to allot). Related to number, numeral, numerate, numerous, enumerate, innumerable. The specifically mathematical sense — numerical methods, numerical analysis — referring to computational techniques that find approximate solutions to mathematical problems using iterative arithmetic rather than exact symbolic manipulation.