Periodic functionA periodic function is a function that repeats its values at regular intervals. For example, the trigonometric functions, which are used to describe waves and other repeating phenomena, are periodic. Many aspects of the natural world have periodic behavior, such as the phases of the Moon, the swinging of a pendulum, and the beating of a heart. The length of the interval over which a periodic function repeats is called its period.
AttractorIn the mathematical field of dynamical systems, an attractor is a set of states toward which a system tends to evolve, for a wide variety of starting conditions of the system. System values that get close enough to the attractor values remain close even if slightly disturbed. In finite-dimensional systems, the evolving variable may be represented algebraically as an n-dimensional vector. The attractor is a region in n-dimensional space.
Differentiable manifoldManifold upon which it is possible to perform calculusA nondifferentiable atlas of charts for the globe. The results of calculus may not be compatible between charts if the atlas is not differentiable. In the center and right charts, the Tropic of Cancer is a smooth curve, whereas in the left chart it has a sharp corner.
DiffeomorphismIn mathematics, a diffeomorphism is an isomorphism of differentiable manifolds. It is an invertible function that maps one differentiable manifold to another such that both the function and its inverse are continuously differentiable.
Set (mathematics)In mathematics, a set is a collection of different things; the things are called elements or members of the set and are typically mathematical objects: numbers, symbols, points in space, lines, other geometric shapes, variables, functions, or even other sets. Mathematics typically does not define precisely what constitutes a "set" or "collection", because such a definition would have to be in terms of something else previously defined.
IntegerAn integer is the number zero (0), a positive natural number (1, 2, 3, ...), or the negation of a positive natural number (−1, −2, −3, ...). The negations or additive inverses of the positive natural numbers are referred to as negative integers.
DerivativeInstantaneous rate of change (mathematics)The graph of a function, drawn in black, and a tangent line to that graph, drawn in red. The slope of the tangent line is equal to the derivative of the function at the marked point.The derivative at different points of a differentiable function. In this case, the derivative is equal to sin(x2)+2x2cos(x2){\displaystyle \sin \left(x^{2} ight)+2x^{2}\cos \left(x^{2} ight)}.
Dynamical systemIn mathematics, a dynamical system is a system in which a function describes the time dependence of a point in an ambient space, such as in a parametric curve. Examples include the mathematical models that describe the swinging of a clock pendulum, the flow of water in a pipe, the random motion of particles in the air, and the number of fish each springtime in a lake.Function (mathematics)In mathematics, a function from a set X to a set Y assigns to each element of X exactly one element of Y. The set X is called the domain of the function and the set Y is called the codomain of the function. Functions were originally the idealization of how a varying quantity depends on another quantity. For example, the position of a planet is a function of time.
Iterated functionIn mathematics, an iterated function is a function that is obtained by composing another function with itself two or several times. The process of repeatedly applying the same function is called iteration. In this process, starting from some initial object, the result of applying a given function is fed again into the function as input, and this process is repeated.
MathematicsMathematics is a field of knowledge concerned with abstract concepts such as numbers, geometric shapes, sets, functions, and probabilities. It uses logical reasoning and proof to study and establish their properties, often expressed as theorems, formulas, and equations. Mathematics is used to model and solve problems in science, engineering, technology, economics, and everyday life.
Map (mathematics)In mathematics, a map or mapping is synonymous to a function, though various branches add further nuances to differentiate them. The terms may have originated as from the process of making a geographical map: mapping the Earth surface to a sheet of paper. Maps and functionsThe term map may be used to distinguish some special types of functions, such as homomorphisms.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.