Value (mathematics)

In mathematics, value may refer to several, strongly related notions:

• The value of a variable or a constant is any number or other mathematical object assigned to it.
• The value of a mathematical expression is the result of the computation described by this expression when the variables and constants in it are replaced by some numbers.
• The value of a function is the number implied by the function as a result of a particular number being assigned to its argument (also called the variable of the function).

For example, if the function $f$ is defined by $f(x) = 2x^2-3x+1$, then, given the value 3 to the variable x yields the function value 10 (since indeed 2 · 3² – 3 · 3 + 1 = 10). This is denoted $f(3)=10.$

See also

• Value function
• Value (computer science)
• Absolute value
• Truth value