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


Go to the Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures home page.

If you have suggestions, corrections, or comments, please get in touch with Paul Black.

Entry modified 13 September 2007.
HTML page formatted Mon Feb 2 13:10:40 2015.

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