indicator function
nounUK /ˈɪndɪkeɪtə ˈfʌŋkʃən/
US /ˈɪndɪkeɪtər ˈfʌŋkʃən/
A math helper that says 1 when something is true and 0 when it is not.
The indicator function gives 1 for every even number and 0 for every odd number.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A function in probability that equals 1 if an event happens and 0 if it does not.
The indicator function of rolling a six is 1 on a six and 0 otherwise.
3. A way to mark which items belong to a group by giving them a value of 1.
We used an indicator function to tag all the red marbles in the bag.
4. A simple switch-like function used in computer science to test a condition.
The program's indicator function returned 1 when the file existed.