numerisch

Numerisch is an adjective meaning related to numbers or computed with numbers. In German and Dutch, it is used to describe quantitative data, numerical methods, and computations. The term is contrasted with symbolic or analytic approaches.

In mathematics, numerical methods aim to approximate solutions to problems that cannot be solved exactly or would be impractical to solve symbolically. Examples include numerical integration, solving linear and nonlinear systems, eigenvalue computations, and differential equations. The field of numerical analysis studies algorithms, error estimation, stability, and efficiency of such methods.

In computing, numerisch refers to data types and representations that use numeric values, such as integers and floating-point numbers. It also concerns computing with limited precision, rounding errors, and the development of libraries and software for numerical computing, including linear algebra routines and numerical solvers.

Historically, the term has been in use for centuries, but numerical analysis as a formal discipline expanded in the 20th century with the rise of computers. Today numerisch applications span science, engineering, finance, and data science.