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In mathematics, value may refer to several, strongly related notions.
In general, a mathematical value may be any definite mathematical object. In elementary mathematics, this is most often a number – for example, a real number such as π or an integer such as 42.
- The value of a variable or a constant is any number or other mathematical object assigned to it. Physical quantities have numerical values attached to units of measurement.
- The value of a mathematical expression is the object assigned to this expression when the variables and constants in it are assigned values.
- The value of a function, given the value(s) assigned to its argument(s), is the quantity assumed by the function for these argument values.
For example, if the function f is defined by f(x) = 2x2 – 3x + 1, then assigning the value 3 to its argument x yields the function value 10, since f(3) = 2·32 – 3·3 + 1 = 10.
If the variable, expression or function only assumes real values, it is called real-valued. Likewise, a complex-valued variable, expression or function only assumes complex values.
See also
- Value function
- Value (computer science)
- Absolute value
- Truth value
References
- "Value".
- Meschkowski, Herbert (1968). Introduction to Modern Mathematics. George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd. p. 32. ISBN 0245591095.
This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Value mathematics news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2014 Learn how and when to remove this message In mathematics value may refer to several strongly related notions In general a mathematical value may be any definite mathematical object In elementary mathematics this is most often a number for example a real number such as p or an integer such as 42 The value of a variable or a constant is any number or other mathematical object assigned to it Physical quantities have numerical values attached to units of measurement The value of a mathematical expression is the object assigned to this expression when the variables and constants in it are assigned values The value of a function given the value s assigned to its argument s is the quantity assumed by the function for these argument values For example if the function f is defined by f x 2x 2 3x 1 then assigning the value 3 to its argument x yields the function value 10 since f 3 2 32 3 3 1 10 If the variable expression or function only assumes real values it is called real valued Likewise a complex valued variable expression or function only assumes complex values See alsoValue function Value computer science Absolute value Truth valueReferences Value Meschkowski Herbert 1968 Introduction to Modern Mathematics George G Harrap amp Co Ltd p 32 ISBN 0245591095
