Difference between revisions of "Ceiling function"
(oops, didn't read context) |
(add section) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | The '''ceiling function,''' also known as the "least integer function," gives the least integer greater than or equal to its argument. The ceiling of <math>x</math> is usually denoted by <math>\lceil x \rceil</math>. The action of the function is also described by the phrase "rounding up." On the negative [[real number]]s, this corresponds to the action "dropping everything after the [[decimal | + | The '''ceiling function,''' also known as the "least integer function," gives the least integer greater than or equal to its argument. The ceiling of <math>x</math> is usually denoted by <math>\lceil x \rceil</math>. The action of the function is also described by the phrase "rounding up." On the negative [[real number]]s, this corresponds to the action "dropping everything after the [[decimal]] point". |
==Examples== | ==Examples== | ||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
*<math>\lceil -3.2\rceil = -3 </math> | *<math>\lceil -3.2\rceil = -3 </math> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Relation to the Floor Function== | ||
| + | For an [[integer]], the ceiling function is equal to the floor function. For any other number, the ceiling function is the floor function plus [[one]]. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Revision as of 16:58, 24 November 2007
The ceiling function, also known as the "least integer function," gives the least integer greater than or equal to its argument. The ceiling of 
is usually denoted by 
. The action of the function is also described by the phrase "rounding up." On the negative real numbers, this corresponds to the action "dropping everything after the decimal point".
Examples
Relation to the Floor Function
For an integer, the ceiling function is equal to the floor function. For any other number, the ceiling function is the floor function plus one.
