1 ) A numeric value search apparatus characterized in that it comprises the following: a storage unit which stores multiple pieces of digitized numeric value data; a resolution specifying means which specifies a frequency distribution resolution; a frequency distribution creation unit which determines the frequency distribution of numeric value data in the aforementioned storage unit using the resolution specified by this resolution specifying means; and a computation unit which determines the numeric value range or numeric value with the prescribed rank from the frequency distribution determined by this frequency distribution creation unit; wherein the aforementioned resolution specifying means increases the resolution specified to the aforementioned frequency distribution creation unit in steps, based on the computation results of the aforementioned computation unit.