generating function
nounUK /ˈdʒɛnəreɪtɪŋ ˈfʌŋkʃən/
US /ˈdʒɛnəreɪtɪŋ ˈfʌŋkʃən/
A special math tool that packs a whole list of numbers into one neat formula.
The teacher used a generating function to add up all the numbers in the pattern at once.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. In probability, a function that helps find the chances of different outcomes.
The probability generating function made it easy to find the chance of rolling a six.
3. A function that produces a sequence of values when you plug in different numbers.
By changing x, the generating function gave us each term of the sequence.
4. A way to describe a pattern of numbers using algebra instead of listing them all.
Instead of writing every term, she wrote the generating function for the pattern.