Argument2 2006-07-27 20:10:09 2008-03-04 00:08:16 Definition function % this is the default PlanetMath preamble. as your knowledge % of TeX increases, you will probably want to edit this, but % it should be fine as is for beginners. % almost certainly you want these \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} % used for TeXing text within eps files %\usepackage{psfrag} % need this for including graphics (\includegraphics) %\usepackage{graphicx} % for neatly defining theorems and propositions %\usepackage{amsthm} % making logically defined graphics %\usepackage{xypic} % there are many more packages, add them here as you need them % define commands here The {\sl argument\/} of a function is its input. For example, in the expression $f(x)$, $x$ is the argument of $f$. A common error for those who are unfamiliar with mathematics is to treat a function and its argument as two separate entities. For example, in solving the equation $\ln x=5$ for $x$, people who are unfamiliar with mathematics may give the erroneous answer $\displaystyle x=\frac{5}{\ln}$. This error might be circumvented by stressing that a function and its argument are not multiplied, but rather that a function \PMlinkescapetext{acts on} its argument. Another common error is to try to separate the argument of a function. This error is most common when the argument consists of at least two \PMlinkescapetext{terms}. For example, students may write $f(x+5)=f(x)+f(5)$ regardless of what the function $f$ is.