  Finite precision computations using digital computers involve the following
inherent errors: (1) Round-off error of finite precision computations (2)
Binary computer arithmetic precludes exact number representation of traditional
decimal system used in data input stage to the computer. Though the round-off
error is as small as in the seventh decimal place (single precision) in the
beginning, it can enter the mainstream computation within 50 iterations in
iterative computations, such as that used in numerical integration schemes, for
example, the commonly used fourth order Runge-Kutta method. Growth of round-off
error in recursive vis-a-vis iterative computing is described in the text. In
this paper several computational experiments are presented to demonstrate the
rapid growth of round-off error in iterative computations.
