Unlike most fields of mathematics, numerical analysis is not about proving theorems or finding generalized solutions to problems. Instead, numerical analysis is the field that focuses on finding a usable solution to a specific question about a known function. Some of the most common problems in which numerical analysis is used are integrating specific regions of a curve and finding the zeroes of a function. Instead of finding the desired answer exactly, numerical analysis gives a way to find the answer within a specified margin of error.

There are many popular techniques in numerical analysis. All involve the knowledge of the function itself, which yields the value at all points. This value can be used to approximate distance from the axis or other useful approximation quantities in the process of calculating the desired quantity. For some results there will be numerous techniques for numerical solution, all...