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In mathematics, a collocation method is a method for the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations and integral equations.The idea is to choose a finite-dimensional space of candidate solutions (usually polynomials up to a certain degree) and a number of points in the domain (called collocation points), and to select that solution which satisfies the ...
The set of all elements of the form f(x), where x ranges over the elements of the domain X, is called the image of f. The image of a function is a subset of its codomain so it might not coincide with it. Namely, a function that is not surjective has elements y in its codomain for which the equation f(x) = y does not have a solution.
The primary difference between a computer algebra system and a traditional calculator is the ability to deal with equations symbolically rather than numerically. The precise uses and capabilities of these systems differ greatly from one system to another, yet their purpose remains the same: manipulation of symbolic equations .
For example, when extending the domain of the square root function, along a path of complex numbers with positive imaginary parts, one gets i for the square root of −1; while, when extending through complex numbers with negative imaginary parts, one gets −i. There are generally two ways of solving the problem.
For example, if the feasible region is defined by the constraint set {x ≥ 0, y ≥ 0}, then the problem of maximizing x + y has no optimum since any candidate solution can be improved upon by increasing x or y; yet if the problem is to minimize x + y, then there is an optimum (specifically at (x, y) = (0, 0)).
Functions that maximize or minimize functionals may be found using the Euler–Lagrange equation of the calculus of variations. A simple example of such a problem is to find the curve of shortest length connecting two points. If there are no constraints, the solution is a straight line between the points. However, if the curve is constrained to ...
with domain, the range of , sometimes denoted or (), [4] may refer to the codomain or target set (i.e., the set into which all of the output of is constrained to fall), or to (), the image of the domain of under (i.e., the subset of consisting of all actual outputs of ). The image of a function is always a subset of the codomain of the ...
A very simple example of a useful variable change can be seen in the problem of finding the roots of the sixth-degree polynomial: x 6 − 9 x 3 + 8 = 0. {\displaystyle x^{6}-9x^{3}+8=0.} Sixth-degree polynomial equations are generally impossible to solve in terms of radicals (see Abel–Ruffini theorem ).