What are elementary functions?
Nathan Sanders
Updated on June 16, 2026
In mathematics, an elementary function is a function of a single variable (typically real or complex) that is defined as taking sums, products, and compositions of finitely many polynomial, rational, trigonometric, hyperbolic, and exponential functions, including possibly their inverse functions (e.g., arcsin, log, or …
What are functions in a graph?
Let f(x) = x2 – 3. Graphs of functions are graphs of equations that have been solved for y! The graph of f(x) in this example is the graph of y = x2 – 3. It is easy to generate points on the graph. Choose a value for the first coordinate, then evaluate f at that number to find the second coordinate.
What is an elementary integral?
By an integral-elementary function we mean any real function that can be obtained from the constants, sin x , ex , logx , and arcsin x (defined on (−1,1 )) using the basic algebraic operations, composition and integration. The rank of an integral-elementary function f is the depth of the formula defining f .
Are all elementary functions continuous?
All elementary functions are continuous at any point where they are defined. An elementary function is a function built from a finite number of compositions and combinations using the four operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) over basic elementary functions.
What does elementary mean in math?
Elementary mathematics embraces the branches, problems, and methods of mathematics in which the general concepts of, for example, variable, function, and limit are not used. Elementary mathematics encompasses primarily arithmetic, elementary number theory, elementary algebra, elementary geometry, and trigonometry.
Is e x 2 an elementary function?
Your teacher probably said that exp(−x2) (or exp(x2)) does not have an antiderivative that can be expressed using elementary functions: the antiderivatives of certain elementary functions cannot themselves be expressed as elementary functions. The proof uses algebra in the differential field of functions.
What is a function graph example?
The graph of the function is the set of all points (x,y) in the plane that satisfies the equation y=f(x) y = f ( x ) . For example, the black dots on the graph in the graph below tell us that f(0)=2 f ( 0 ) = 2 and f(6)=1 f ( 6 ) = 1 .
Is ln an elementary function?
[edit] Logarithm The second transcendental that is considered elementary is the inverse of the exponential function, the logarithm. The logarithm is denoted ln(x).