A mark for the birth of Function′s Concept
Xuefeng Wang · Journal of Northwest University · 2009
Aim To explore the reasons and period of the birth of the Function′s concept systematically.Methods Historic analysis and literature review.Results A comparison was made between the formation of the Function′s Concept and the development of mathematization,showing that the Dependent Relationship of two variables has existed for 4 000 years.However,this Thought of Dependent Relationship is not equal to the Thought of Function,the birth of the Function′s Concept is in company with the appearance of the Thought of Function.Conclusion The Thought of the Function could only come into being after the emergence of Variable Mathematics,thus,the Function′s Concept was generated after the beginning of Variable Mathematics.