A quick and dirty description is on Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerical_analysis

Here's a description of Newton's method for finding roots of equations. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton%27s_method
If you apply this to complex polynomials you can generate really cool fractal pictures like the one at the bottom of the page.

I love fractals, too. Check out the Mandelbrot set:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandelbrot_set

Last edited by Cathy A; 04/23/08 07:36 PM.