number-crunching

number-crunching
 n.

   [common] Computations of a numerical nature, esp. 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}, esp. if it involves ray
   tracing or fractals or some other use that makes {pretty pictures},
   esp. if such pictures can be used as screen backgrounds. See also
   {crunch}.