A function is a mathematical device that converts one value to another in a known way. We can think of it as a machine. You feed the machine an input, it does some calculations on it, and then gives you back another value - the result of the calculations.

• The set of allowable inputs to a given function is called the domain of the function.
• The set of possible outputs is called the range of the function.

First create a function

The first step is to create a function. We give it a name and describe how it works inside. We write a function like this:

• The function's name is f. We can name it anything but single letters are common
• The input* value is called x. Again we could use anything but x is common.
• On the right of the equals sign we see what the function does with the input.
  Here, the function takes the input x, multiplies it by three, then gives that out as the output. The function could do almost any calculation you like, but we have chosen a simple one for clarity.

* The input to a function is often called its 'argument', or 'parameter'.

Using the function

We can now use this function in any expression. For example This would use the function with an input of 3. Since this function multiplies its input by three, the variable j is given the value 9.

Below is a table showing the output of f(x) for a few sample values in its domain (input). Because the definition of f(x) says so, every output is three times the input.

Using a function many times

A function can be used multiple times. Using our example function again: In this equation, the function f is used twice. The first time with an input of 2, then again with an input of 5. The result is that k will be given the value of 21.

In fact, this is a primary value of functions: you can 'package' a calculation as a function and the use it many times later.

Inverse functions

For some (but not all) functions, there can be another function - the 'inverse function' - that operates in reverse. That is, given the output, it tells us what the input would have been. For the example function above, the inverse function could be It outputs the input divided by three.

How we say it

This	is spoken as
	"f of x is defined as 3x"
	"j equals f of 3"

Graphing a function

A graph of a function is a picture that shows how the input and output are related. See the example on the right for the function It shows how the output changes as you gradually change the input. For more on this see Graphs.

Functions in computer programming

Pages referring to 'function'