heaviside function
nounUK /ˈhɛvɪsaɪd ˈfʌŋkʃən/
US /ˈhɛvɪsaɪd ˈfʌŋkʃən/
A math rule that gives 0 for negative numbers and 1 for positive numbers.
The heaviside function jumps from 0 to 1 at zero.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A function used in engineering to model a switch turning on at a certain time.
Engineers use the heaviside function to describe a circuit that switches on at t = 0.
3. A generalized function whose derivative is the Dirac delta function.
In distribution theory, the derivative of the heaviside function is the delta function.
4. A function named after Oliver Heaviside that equals H(x) = 0 for x < 0 and H(x) = 1 for x ≥ 0.
The heaviside function is often written as H(x) and plotted as a step.