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derivative – identity map
derivative
For a function f of a single real variable x, the derivative is defined as the limit of the difference quotient
provided this limit exists. In practice, the derivative is interpreted as the instantaneous rate of change of the function at x. Graphically, the derivative returns the slope of the tangent at x.
 Cf. differentiation rules.
differentiable
A function is differentiable at a point of its domain if its derivative exists at that point. A function is said to be (simply) differentiable if its derivative exists at all points of its domain.
differentiation rule
ARTICLE
A rule permitting easy differentiation of functions having certain forms. See the article for a complete description.
Cf. derivative.
distance
The distance between two points in a space is given by the length of the geodesic joining those two points. In Euclidean space, the geodesic is given by a straight line, and the distance between two points is the length of this line. The distance between two points a and b on a real number line is the absolute value of their difference, i.e., d(a, b) = |a - b|. In two (or more) dimensions, the distance is given by the (generalized) Pythagorean theorem, i.e., in a Cartesian coordinate system of n dimensions, where a = (a1, ... ,an) and b = (b1, ... ,bn), the distance d(a, b) is given by
The concept of distance may be generalized to more abstract spaces – such a distance concept is referred to as a metric.
Graph Theory: The length of the shortest path between two vertices of a graph. If there is no path between two vertices, their distance is defined to be infinite. The distance between two vertices v and u is denoted by d(v, u). In a connected graph, distance is a metric.
domain
General: A universe of discourse, that is, the class of objects under consideration. Functions and relations: The domain of a function (relation) is the set of elements which the function (relation) maps to its range set.
dot product
See scalar product.
e
See Euler number.
Euclidean space
A space satisfying the axioms of Euclidean geometry. Specifically, a space in which the parallel postulate holds; equivalently, a space in which the distance between points is given by a straight line.
even function
A real-valued function y = f(x) is even if f(x) = f(–x) for all x in the domain of f. The graph of an even function in the Cartesian plane is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.
Cf. odd function.
exp
See exponential function.
exponential function
The function ex. We say that an expression is expontiated when it is used as an exponent on e.
More generally, any function which operates on its argument by placing it as an exponent may be called an exponential function. Example: f(x) = 2x.
Cf. Euler number.
function
Given a binary relation R on sets A and B, we say that the R is a function if each element of A is paired with at most one element of B. In this case we call A the domain set, and we call B the range set. If f is such a function and the ordered pair (x,y) is an element of the function, we typically write f(x) = y.
More generally, if R is an n-place relation, then R is a function of n-1 variables if each (n-1)-tuple is matched with at most one element of the range set (i.e., the nth set of the Cartesian product on which the relation is defined). If in addition there is at most one element of the domain set matched with any given element of the range set, then the function is called “one-to-one” or injective. If the function maps at least one element of the domain set to every element of its range set, then it is called “onto” or surjective. A function which is both injective and surjective is called bijective. Functions with range in the real numbers or complex numbers are called real-valued or complex-valued respectively.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
Intitively, that the integral and derivative are inverse operatorations on functions. The fundamental theorem is commonly expressed in either one of two formal guises:
Cf. Riemann integral.
geometric series
An infinite series such that the ratio of consecutive terms is constant. Such a series may be denoted
where r is the common ratio. A geometric series converges if and only if the common ratio is less than 1, in which case the sum of the series is given by
Cf. arithmetic series, harmonic series.
Related article: Series
g.l.b.
Abbreviation for greatest lower bound.
graph
General: A picture or diagram representing one or more relationships among certain objects or quantities.
Functions: The collection of ordered tuples (x,y), consisting of domain elements x (possibly also tuples) and corresponding range elements y. Although informally we often mean the picture when we speak of the graph of a function, the graph should always be formally thought of as a set of tuples.
Graph Theory: A collection of nodes (also called vertices), together with a set of edges joining the nodes. Formally, a graph G is a set of vertices V, a set of edges E, and a symmetric relation between them specifying incidence. Every edge must be incident on exactly two (not necessarily distinct) vertices, called its ends. Two vertices incident on the same edge are called adjacent. Graphs are often represented pictorially, with the vertices being points (or small circles or squares or some such), and the edges being curves (often line segments), with the endpoints of each such curve being the ends of that edge in the graph.
Cf. Konigsberg Bridge Problem.
greatest lower bound
A lower bound which is greater than or equal to every other lower bound.
Cf. Least upper bound.
harmonic series
The infinite series whose terms are the reciprocals of the natural numbers
This series diverges, i.e., the sum does not exist.
Related article: Series
hyperbola
The locus of points in the plane, the difference of whose distances from two fixed points, called the foci, remains constant.
Like the ellipse and parabola, the hyperbola is a conic section.
Related article: Conics
identity function
A function that maps each domain element to itself. Also called the identity map.
identity map
See identity function.
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