Functions take inputs, perform perform operations, and my return outputs
The concept of a function is vital to math, computer programming, and engineering - but it can easily be extrapolated to cover any aspect of life. A simple definition of “function” is a thing that provides a consistent output, wholly dependent on the set of inputs it’s given.
WIkipedia definition:
A function is a relation between sets that associates to every element of a first set exactly one element of the second set.
Nomenclature & Terminology
In all domains of use, functions are sometimes named and sometimes not. Mathematical functions can be referred to by their algorithm, such as:
Or, for well-known algorithms, by a name - such as:
The Quadratic Formula
Argument
The inputs to the function.
Domain
The whole set of possible inputs for each argument.
Range
The whole set of possible outputs.
Arity/Degree
The number of arguments the function depends on to produce its result.
Return
The result of a function. Its output.