Computational mathematics involves mathematical research in mathematics as well as in areas of science where computing plays a central and essential role, and emphasizes algorithms, numerical methods, and symbolic computations.Computational applied mathematics consists roughly of using mathematics for allowing and improving computer computation in applied mathematics. Computational mathematics may also refer to the use of computers for mathematics itself. This includes the use of computers for mathematical computations (computer algebra), the study of what can (and cannot) be computerized in mathematics (effective methods), which computations may be done with present technology (complexity theory), and which proofs can be done on computers (proof assistants).

Computational Mathematics involves mathematical research in areas of science and engineering where computing plays a central and essential role. Topics include for example developing accurate and efficient numerical methods for solving physical or biological models, analysis of numerical approximations to differential and integral equations, developing computational tools to better understand data and structure, etc. Computational mathematics is a field closely connected with a variety of other mathematical branches, as for often times a better mathematical understanding of the problem leads to innovative numerical techniques.