(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)