Difference between revisions of "Ceiling function"

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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]] and adding one."
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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==

Revision as of 17:57, 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 $x$ is usually denoted by $\lceil x \rceil$. 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

  • $\lceil 3.14 \rceil = 4$
  • $\lceil 5 \rceil = 5$
  • $\lceil -3.2\rceil = -3$

See Also