continuous function

American  

noun

Mathematics.

1. (loosely) a mathematical function such that a small change in the independent variable, or point of the domain, produces only a small change in the value of the function.

2. (at a point in its domain) a function that has a limit equal to the value of the function at the point; a function that has the property that for any small number, a second number can be found such that when the distance between any other point in the domain and the given point is less than the second number, the difference in the functional values at the two points is less than the first number in absolute value.

3. (at a point in a topological space) a function having the property that for any open set containing the image of the point, an open set about the given point can be found such that the image of the set is contained in the first open set.

4. (on a set in the domain of the function or in a topological space) a function that is continuous at every point of the set.

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Example Sentences

Temperature as a function of time is an example of a continuous function.

From Textbooks • Dec. 1, 2021

If temperature represents a continuous function, what kind of function would not be continuous?

From Textbooks • Dec. 1, 2021

If a continuous function f has a local extremum, it must occur at a critical point c.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

If f is a continuous function on a smooth curve C, then ∫C f ds always exists.

From Textbooks • Mar. 30, 2016

The hand which had been half lifted to touch the control continued upward relievedly, as if glad to have a continuous function even though its purpose had changed.

From Breaking Point by Gunn, James E.