In a manner relating to or expressed in numbers; using numerical methods rather than analytical or symbolic approaches. Often refers to computational approximations of mathematical problems.
From Latin 'numericus' (of or relating to number) + '-ally' (adverbial suffix). The root 'numerus' meant 'number, quantity' in Latin, and the modern usage emphasizing computational methods developed with the rise of computers in the 20th century.
This word reflects the shift from pure mathematical theory to practical computation - while we might not be able to solve an equation analytically, we can often approximate solutions numerically to extraordinary precision. Modern weather forecasting, for instance, relies entirely on numerical methods to solve atmospheric equations.
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