Advertisement

Advertisement

characteristic function

noun

, Mathematics.
  1. a function defined on a given set, having value 1 for every element of the set and value 0 for every element not contained in the set.


characteristic function

noun

  1. maths a function that assigns the value 1 to the members of a given set and the value 0 to its nonmembers
  2. statistics a function derived from the probability distribution function that enables the distribution of the sum of given random variables to be analysed
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of characteristic function1

First recorded in 1875–80
Discover More

Example Sentences

This is the typical and characteristic function of organic life.

As we submit each characteristic function and situation of experience to our gaze, we find it has a dual aspect.

Now we are better prepared to recognize the characteristic function of the artist.

And in this we perceive the characteristic function of nerve-fibres, viz.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


characteristic equationcharacteristic polynomial