implicit function

implicit function
A relation between two variables treating them symmetrically. For example, the linear function y = αx + β can be inverted to give x as an explicit function of y, x = −β/α + y/α, or it can be written as an implicit function, αx − y = −β. It is always possible to express an explicit function in implicit form, but it is often difficult and sometimes impossible to express an implicit function in explicit form: for example, if x2 + x3 + y = 0, try expressing x as an explicit function of y.

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