A recursive method for computing numerical values for mathematical functions includes providing a recursive Taylor series representation of a mathematical function f(x) of a variable x evaluated around a given operating point a. The recursive Taylor series representation includes a plurality of derivative derived terms that include ratios of derivatives of f(x) evaluated at the operating point a. Coefficient data is determined from ones of the derivative derived terms stored in a tangible memory device evaluated at the operating point a over a predetermined range. An approximation for the mathematical function f(x) is computed using the recursive Taylor series representation evaluated with the coefficient data.