This text investigates the practical application of numerical analysis techniques through the implementation of algorithms using the Pascal programming language. The authors, Laurence Atkinson and P. J. Harley, provide a structured approach to solving mathematical problems that are often intractable via analytical methods. By bridging the gap between theoretical numerical mathematics and computational execution, the book establishes a framework for students to develop robust, error-conscious software for scientific calculation.

Experts recognize this work as a foundational resource for students learning to integrate mathematical theory with early structured programming environments. Readers frequently note the clarity of the algorithmic explanations, though they acknowledge the dated nature of the Pascal language examples in modern computing contexts.