The term potential function may refer to:
- A mathematical function whose values are a physical potential.
- The class of functions known as harmonic functions, which are the topic of study in potential theory.
- The potential function of a potential game.
- A function used in the potential method of amortized analysis to describe an investment of resources by past operations that can be used by future operations.
Famous quotes containing the words potential and/or function:
“The planet on which we live is poorly organized, many areas are overpopulated, others are reserved for a few, technology’s potential is only in part realized, and most people are starving.”
—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)
“The information links are like nerves that pervade and help to animate the human organism. The sensors and monitors are analogous to the human senses that put us in touch with the world. Data bases correspond to memory; the information processors perform the function of human reasoning and comprehension. Once the postmodern infrastructure is reasonably integrated, it will greatly exceed human intelligence in reach, acuity, capacity, and precision.”
—Albert Borgman, U.S. educator, author. Crossing the Postmodern Divide, ch. 4, University of Chicago Press (1992)