In a computational device, a method is provided for determining attributes for results of arithmetic operations, including a result for a series of arithmetic operations, with fixed-point numbers, in an environment for fixed-point algorithm development. An indication is received of a plurality of possible word lengths to be used for storing a plurality of digits representing a result of arithmetic operation with fixed-point numbers. An indication is received of how a placement of a radix point is to be determined in the plurality of digits representing the results of the arithmetic operation with fixed-point numbers. When calculating a selected fixed-point arithmetic operation, one of the word lengths in the plurality of possible word lengths is employed for storing the plurality of digits representing a result of the selected fixed-point arithmetic operation. A placement of a radix point in the plurality of digits representing the result of the selected fixed-point arithmetic operation is based on the received indication of how the radix point is to be determined. A growth rate for a number of digits in a result of a series of arithmetic calculations is less than N, and preferably proportional to logb (N), where N is equal to the number of arithmetic operations performed, and b is the base of operands in the arithmetic operations.