Nu*mer"ic (?), Nu*mer"ic*al (?), a. [Cf. F. num'erique. See Number, n.]
1.
Belonging to number; denoting number; consisting in numbers; expressed by numbers, and not letters; as, numerical characters; a numerical equation; a numerical statement.
⇒ 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.
2.
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.
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.
© Webster 1913.