What is a Number Cruncher?
A number cruncher is one of those exciting-sounding terms that means pretty much what it sounds like it does. A number cruncher crunches numbers. It can be a thing or a person. The most recognizable kind of number cruncher these days is a computer. The vast majority of number cruncher functions within a computer are done by a calculator, which was the original definition of the term number cruncher. Who can forget the days of the advanced Texas Instruments calculators? Actually, technically speaking, a number cruncher can be a slide rule or even an abacus, since those devices can perform many calculations as well. The idea of those calculations being done very quickly brings electronic devices like calculators and computers to mind. Every so often, a computer company will make the news with claims of the new fastest time for calculations of things like pi to 100 places. A number cruncher is also a software application. Commonly designed for younger students, number cruncher software pe