Definition: A function which is defined for all inputs of the right type, that is, for all of a domain.
See also partial function.
Note: Square (x²) is a total function. Reciprocal (1/x) is not, since 0 is a real number, but has no reciprocal.
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Entry modified 13 September 2007.
HTML page formatted Fri Mar 25 16:20:35 2011.
Cite this as:
Paul E. Black, "total function", in Dictionary of Algorithms and Data Structures [online], Paul E. Black, ed., U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology. 13 September 2007. (accessed TODAY) Available from: http://www.nist.gov/dads/HTML/totalfunc.html