Value (mathematics)

In mathematics, value may refer to several, strongly related notions. Though in general, a mathematical value is a broad term that refers to any definite entity that can be manipulated with operators according to the well-defined rules of its mathematical system.

Certain values can correspond to the real world, although most values in mathematics generally exists purely as abstract objects with no connection to the real world.

Numbers (specifically the reals) are values that represent quantities. In that sense, numerical values are values that comprises or are made up of said numbers. In more simpler terms, a numerical value are represented by numbers. Both numbers and numerical values tend to be synonymous and interchangeable with each other.

The following table shows certain values that are considered numerical values themselves.

Because numerical values can also be a part of composite objects, various terminologies are given. For example, a complex number ${\displaystyle z=a+bi}$, has ${\displaystyle a}$ as considered its real value, likewise ${\displaystyle b}$ as its complex value.

A variable is a symbol that represents an unspecified object. Homogeneous to numbers, variables themselves are considered as values.

The value of a function, given the value(s) assigned to its argument(s), is the quantity assumed by the function for these argument values.

For example, if the function f is defined by f(x) = 2x² − 3x + 1, then assigning the value 3 to its argument x yields the function value 10, since f(3) = 2·3² − 3·3 + 1 = 10.