can anybody explain what's the meaning of function f(x) ?

Answer 1

f(x) is mathematical shorthand for saying "the function of x". The expression can be anything (i.e. x^2+3x=9 for instance).

Answer 2

I am assuming that you are young and first being introduced to functions.

You can think of a function as a factory, you put something in, you get something out, in this case numbers. What you get out depends on what you put in, and ONLY what you put in. So f(x) for any single x has only ONE answer.

Here is an example without numbers:

Biological mother of (x) where x is some person.
so Biological mother (Triple M)= Alina.

Since each person only has one biological mother it works.

But if we say the son of (x) where x is a woman, we run into problems. If a woman has no sons, we can add "none" as an allowable answer. But if a woman has two sons, we have a serious problem, because there are two different answers. We cannot use this as a function.

If you are in algebra and are used to seeing equations like y=3x+2, you may be thinking "Y" has been perfectly good up to now, what's with this new f(x) thing? The answer is that it is an important distinction in the way of thinking about things. Later on, the need for this way of thinking will be clear.

One thing that math always does is that it never changes the rules. Sometimes in science, you will find that what you learned is too simple, and you now need to relearn it. You need to throw out your shoes because you outgrew them. This is fine, because scientists always need to throw away theories that have become outdated.

In math, they know where and how far they want you to go, and try to prepare you for that, so you get a huge pair of shoes, and wonder what to do with all the wiggle room, and trip over them sometimes. But if you become a mathematician, your idea of function will become more complete, but it won't ever really disagree with what you are told now. If you become a mathematician, all the old stuff stays true, your math just gets tacked onto the end, or fills in the gaps somewhere. It is very rare that something ever needs to be discarded.

Answer 3

A function is a mathematical type of naming between sets (of objects).

The sets can be anything really, but for each object the function can only give one "naming."

Commonly a function will be from a set of numbers to another set of numbers. Let's look at the function that takes a number and "names" it as it's square. This function can be considered as f(x)=x^2 where f is the specific funtion and x is the item that is being considered.

Some examples of this function:

x=2 ==>> f(x)=2^2=4
x=1.5 ==>> f(x)=2.25
x=-2 ==>> f(x)=4

Notice that it is ok for two different values to be "named" the same thing. just because 2^2=4=(-2)^2 does NOT mean 2=-2.

A more abstract function would be the function that sends a person to his/her (legal) name: Everyone should have only ONE legal name, so this would be a function.

Or the funciton that sends a crayon to it's colour (also it's name).


f(x) is just a way or talking about a function. You can also use g(x), p(n), w(y), x(f), or really anything, it's just standard that f(x) is used.

Answer 4

The function notation is just a shorthand way of indicating that we are using a function.

Suppose, for example, that we know that we are going to be using a formula a lot. Let's just say that the formula is "2x + 3." What this means is:
When you know your value x, plus it into the equation--multiply by 2 and then add 3 to the result.
That is how we describe and use the formula.

But how do we say this in a short way? It is awfully cumbersome in mathematics to say "Here is an equation and you need to put your value for x into the equation." So we came up with a shorter way of saying it:
f(x) = 2x + 3

All that means is that I have a function (f) that uses a variable (x). When you have a value, put it in place of the x and solve.
f(x) = 2x + 3
f(1) = 2(1) + 3 = 5
f(2) = 2(2) + 3 = 7
f(5) = 2(5) + 3 = 13

So it just gives us a quick way of saying "put your number in place of the x."

Answer 5

I hope this helps.

A function is a relation that uniquely associates members of one set with members of another set. More formally, a function from to is an object such that every is uniquely associated with an object . A function is therefore a many-to-one (or sometimes one-to-one) relation. The set of values at which a function is defined is called its domain, while the set of values that the function can produce is called its range. The term "map" is synonymous with function.

Answer 6

Like a lot of other things in math, unless f(x) is specifically defined for you, it is a label meaning "any function you care to choose" or, in some contexts, "any function that is context appropriate." That last means, more or less, if you're talking about (say) piecewise continuous functions, or continuously differentiable functions or whatever, any function of that group...

More simply: it is often used as a "variable" to mean "any ol' function"

Sigh, math is fun!

Well, I think so, anyhow!

Answer 7

f (x) means starting off with a number x, and after passing through the function, gives a value.

Let f (x) = x + 1.
Then f(2) = 3
Let f (x) = x*x
Then f(3) = 9

Functions have great versality and can be modified to change the starting number in any way.

Have fun.

Answer 8

f(x) is the value of the given function at the point x

Answer 9

I guess that u r an Indian 9th grader. well this word u must have it in Maths, 1st chapter, Sets.... well I don't know the meaning of that coz I was sick of that word....lol