fixed point

mathematics The fixed point of a function, f is any value, x

for which f x = x. A function may have any number of fixed

points from none (e.g. f x = x+1) to infinitely many (e.g. f x

= x). The fixed point combinator, written as either "fix"

or "Y" will return the fixed point of a function.

See also least fixed point.

(1995-04-13)