NIST

total function

(definition)

Definition: A function which is defined for all inputs of the right type, that is, for all of a domain.

See also partial function.

Note: Square (x²) is a total function. Reciprocal (1/x) is not, since 0 is a real number, but has no reciprocal.

Author: PEB


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Entry modified 13 September 2007.
HTML page formatted Wed Mar 13 12:42:46 2019.

Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "total function", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed. 13 September 2007. (accessed TODAY) Available from: https://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/totalfunc.html