Maths encyclopedia and lessons  
Search

Mathematics Encyclopedia and Lessons

 
     
 

Lessons

Popular
Subjects

algebra
arithmetic
calculus
equations
geometry
differential equations
trigonometry
number theory
probability theory
more
 

References

applied mathematics
mathematical games
mathematicians
more
 
 

Empty function

An empty function, is a function whose domain is the empty set. For each set A, there is exactly one such empty function fA: ∅ → A.

This includes a constant formula c; but the range of the empty function is not {c} but instead is the empty set.

Most authors will not care, when defining the term "constant function" precisely, whether or not the empty function qualifies, and will use whatever definition is most convenient.

Sometimes, however, it is best not to consider the empty function to be constant, and a definition that makes reference to the range is preferable in those situations.

(This is much along the same lines of not considering an empty topological space to be connected, or not considering the trivial group to be simple.)

01-04-2007 01:18:14
The contents of this article are licensed from Wikipedia.org
under the GNU Free Documentation License. How to see transparent copy