Numerical solution is like playing a game of guessing. Imagine you have a math problem, let's say 3 + 7 = ?. You don't know the answer, but you can guess what the answer might be. To guess, you might start by counting on your fingers. You might say, "Okay, I'll start at three and count up to seven, so three, four, five, six, seven." Then you'd have your answer: 10!
Now, imagine the problem is a little more complicated, like 24 + 76 = ?. You might still count on your fingers, but it will be harder to keep track of all the numbers. So instead, you can use a calculator or some other tool to help you figure out the answer. A numerical solution is like using a tool to solve a math problem that is too hard to solve by counting or guessing.
In fact, numerical solutions are used to solve really complicated math problems, like figuring out how to predict the weather or how to design a race car. Scientists and engineers use numerical solutions to figure out how things work in the real world, by breaking down complex problems into smaller, simpler pieces that can be solved using math.
Just like when you count on your fingers or use a calculator to guess at the answer to a math problem, numerical solutions use a variety of algorithms (a fancy word for a set of rules or steps) to solve equations and model complex physical systems. These algorithms involve a lot of math, and they can be very complicated! But the basic idea is the same as guessing - breaking down a big problem into smaller pieces and using tools to find the answers.