1. A system for numerical analysis of physical data comprising: an input operable to receive multiple, discrete data input values corresponding to a commonly associated physical phenomenon, wherein a functional relationship associated with the physical phenomenon is defined in by a plurality of subfunctions, each subfunction is operable on at least one data input value, and at least one of the subfunctions is bounded between a minimum value and maximum value corresponding thereto; a memory operable to store received digital data; a processor operable to evaluate a first subfunction of the plurality for each of a plurality data input values to determine a candidate maximum value; the processor further operable to compare the candidate maximum value to a system maximum value achievable by at least a second of the plurality of subfunctions; and an output operable to communicate the candidate subfunction value after termination to at least one of a physical monitoring or control system as an extremum value so as to perform at least one of a monitoring and control operation relative to the physical system when the candidate subfunction value exceeds the system maximum value.