number-crunching

number-crunching n.  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 {wallpaper}.
   See also {crunch}.