Integer-valued function

In mathematics, an integer-valued function is a function whose values are integers. In other words, it is a function that assigns an integer to each member of its domain.

The floor function on real numbers. Its discontinuities are pictured with white discs outlines with blue circles.

Floor and ceiling functions are examples of an integer-valued function of a real variable, but on real numbers and generally, on (non-disconnected) topological spaces integer-valued functions are not especially useful. Any such function on a connected space either has discontinuities or is constant. On the other hand, on discrete and other totally disconnected spaces integer-valued functions have roughly the same importance as real-valued functions have on non-discrete spaces.

Any function with natural, or non-negative integer values is a partial case of integer-valued function.

Examples

Integer-valued functions defined on the domain of all real numbers include the floor and ceiling functions, the Dirichlet function, the sign function and the Heaviside step function (except possibly at 0).

Integer-valued functions defined on the domain of non-negative real numbers include the integer square root function and the prime-counting function.

Algebraic properties

On an arbitrary set $X$ , integer-valued functions form a ring with pointwise operations of addition and multiplication, and also an algebra over the ring $Z$ of integers. Since the latter is an ordered ring, the functions form a partially ordered ring:

f\leq g\quad \iff \quad \forall x:f(x)\leq g(x).

Uses

Graph theory and algebra

Integer-valued functions are ubiquitous in graph theory. They also have similar uses in geometric group theory, where length function represents the concept of norm, and word metric represents the concept of metric.

Integer-valued polynomials are important in ring theory.

Mathematical logic and computability theory

In mathematical logic such concepts as a primitive recursive function and a μ-recursive function represent integer-valued functions of several natural variables or, in other words, functions on $N n$ . Gödel numbering, defined on well-formed formulae of some formal language, is a natural-valued function.

Computability theory is essentially based on natural numbers and natural (or integer) functions on them.

Number theory

In number theory, many arithmetic functions are integer-valued.

Computer science

In computer programming many functions return values of integer type due to simplicity of implementation.

gollark: No, it's improving in some ways but worsening in others.

gollark: Practical clock frequencies might actually be going *down*.

gollark: Yes, we are hitting downscaling issues.

gollark: Also, batteries were worse, and so was processor energy efficiency IIRC.

gollark: I mean, "tablets" are generally considered to be portable computing things with *touchscreens*, which I... don't think were a very practical thing then.