The Collaborative International Dictionary
Numeric \Nu*mer"ic\, Numerical \Nu*mer"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. num['e]rique. See Number, n.]
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Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement.
Note: Numerical, as opposed to algebraical, is used to denote a value irrespective of its sign; thus, -5 is numerically greater than -3, though algebraically less.
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The same in number; hence, identically the same; identical; as, the same numerical body. [Obs.]
--South.Would to God that all my fellow brethren, which with me bemoan the loss of their books, . . . might rejoice for the recovery thereof, though not the same numerical volumes.
--Fuller. -
relating to or having ability to think in or work with numbers; as, tests for rating numerical aptitude. Contrasted with verbal.
Syn: mathematical.
Numerical equation (Alg.), an equation which has all the quantities except the unknown expressed in numbers; -- distinguished from literal equation.
Numerical value of an equation or expression, that deduced by substituting numbers for the letters, and reducing.