Function (nonfiction): Difference between revisions

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[[File:Mathematical_function.svg|thumb|A function ''f'' takes an input ''x'', and returns a single output ''f(x)''. One metaphor describes the function as a "machine" or "black box" that for each input returns a corresponding output.]]In [[Mathematics (nonfiction)|mathematics]], a '''function''' is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that each input is related to exactly one [[Output (nonfiction)|output]].
[[File:Mathematical_function.svg|thumb|A function ''f'' takes an input ''x'', and returns a single output ''f(x)''. One metaphor describes the function as a "machine" or "black box" that for each input returns a corresponding output.]]In [[Mathematics (nonfiction)|mathematics]], a '''function''' is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that each input is related to exactly one [[Output (nonfiction)|output]].
== Description ==


An example is the function that relates each real number x to its square x2.
An example is the function that relates each real number x to its square x2.
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Likewise, if the input is 3, then the output is also 9, and we may write f(3) = 9. (The same output may be produced by more than one input, but each input gives only one output.)
Likewise, if the input is 3, then the output is also 9, and we may write f(3) = 9. (The same output may be produced by more than one input, but each input gives only one output.)
== In the News ==
<gallery mode="traditional">
File:Forbidden_Ratio_symbol.jpg|link=Forbidden Ratio|Supervillains [[Forbidden Ratio]] and [[Gnotilus]] form [[Crime team (nonfiction)|crime team]] to destroy the [[Golden ratio (nonfiction)|Golden ratio]].
Halting_problem.svg|link=Halting problem (nonfiction)|[[Halting problem (nonfiction)|Halting problem]] is delicious, says supervillain [[Forbidden Ratio]].
File:Companion of Asclepius Myrmidon.jpg|link=Asclepius Myrmidon|[[Asclepius Myrmidon]] finds Halting problem, forecasts multiple casualties from [[Pi disaster]].
</gallery>
== Fiction cross-reference ==
* [[Asclepius Myrmidon]]
* [[Forbidden Ratio]]
* [[Pi disaster]]


== Nonfiction cross-reference ==
== Nonfiction cross-reference ==


* [[Algorithm (nonfiction)]]
* [[Algorithm (nonfiction)]]
* [[Golden ratio (nonfiction)


== External links ==
External links:


* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_(mathematics) Function (mathematics)] @ Wikipedia
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Function_(mathematics) Function (mathematics)] @ Wikipedia

Revision as of 10:58, 20 June 2016

A function f takes an input x, and returns a single output f(x). One metaphor describes the function as a "machine" or "black box" that for each input returns a corresponding output.

In mathematics, a function is a relation between a set of inputs and a set of permissible outputs with the property that each input is related to exactly one output.

An example is the function that relates each real number x to its square x2.

The output of a function f corresponding to an input x is denoted by f(x) (read "f of x").

In this example, if the input is −3, then the output is 9, and we may write f(−3) = 9.

Likewise, if the input is 3, then the output is also 9, and we may write f(3) = 9. (The same output may be produced by more than one input, but each input gives only one output.)

In the News

Fiction cross-reference

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links: