(Scientific computATion) Output from a computATion thAT may not be significant but AT least indicATes thAT the program is running. Numbers may be used to placATe management, grant sponsors, etc. "Making numbers" means running a program because output - any output, not necessarily meaningful output - is needed as a demonstrATion of progress. See pretty pictures, mATh-out, social science number. [Jargon File] (1995-01-13)