View source for Argument of a function

In [[mathematics]] and [[computer programming]], an '''argument of a function''' is a specific [[input]] in the ''function''.

See [[Function (mathematics)]] and [[Function (programming)]].

== Discussion ==

A mathematical function has one or more arguments in the form of independent variables designated in the function's definition, which can also contain [[parameters]].

The independent variables are mentioned in the list of arguments that the function takes, whereas the parameters are not. For example, in the logarithmic function f(x) = \log_b (x), the base b is considered a parameter.

A function that takes a single argument as input (such as f(x) = x^2) is called a unary function. A function of two or more variables is considered to have a domain consisting of ordered pairs or tuples of argument values.

For example, the binary function f(x,y) = x^2 + y^2 has two arguments, x and y, in an ordered pair (x, y).

The hypergeometric function is an example of a four-argument function. The number of arguments that a function takes is called the arity of the function.

== Arg ==

When it is clear from the context which argument is meant, the argument is often denoted by the abbreviation '''arg'''.

== See also ==

* [[Function (mathematics)]]
* [[Mathematics]]
* [[Value (mathematics)]]

== External links == 

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argument_of_a_function Argument of a function] @ Wikipedia
* [http://rosettacode.org/wiki/Parameter_passing Parameter passing] @ rosettacode.org
[[Category:Computer programming]]
[[Category:Mathematics]]