number crunching

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

number crunching
    n 1: performing complex and lengthy numerical calculations

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

number crunching

   <application, jargon> Computations of a numerical nature,
   especially those that make extensive use of {floating-point}
   numbers.  The only thing {Fortrash} is good for.

   This term is in widespread informal use outside hackerdom and
   even in mainstream slang, but has additional hackish
   connotations: namely, that the computations are mindless and
   involve massive use of {brute force}.  This is not always
   {evil}, especially if it involves {ray tracing} or {fractals}
   or some other use that makes {pretty pictures}, especially if
   such pictures can be used as {wallpaper}.

   See also {crunch}.

   [{Jargon File}]

   (1995-03-17)