An input or query is determined for which a search engine's static ranking computation is the answer. By understanding how this input or query differs from the posed input or query, the precise termination point of an iterative convergence problem can be determined. An iterative process provides the following inputs to the system: a graph of hyperlinks, and a vector of how the probability mass is redistributed. Given the set of ranks (the output results), it is determined how the input (e.g., the query) would have to be changed to get the rank(s) as the answer or result. Backward answer analysis is provided in the web page context. The difference between what was asked and what should have been asked is determined. After the difference is computed, it is determined if the iterative process should be stopped or not.