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Noncomputable Function


A noncomputable function is a function for which no Turing machine computes the value on every input in its domain. For functions on the nonnegative integers, this means that no algorithm halts with output f(n) for every allowed input n. The characteristic function of an undecidable set is noncomputable.


See also

Computable Function, Halting Problem, Noncomputable Number, Undecidable

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References

Turing, A. M. "On Computable Numbers, with an Application to the Entscheidungsproblem." Proc. London Math. Soc. Ser. 2 42, 230-265, 1937.

Cite this as:

Weisstein, Eric W. "Noncomputable Function." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/NoncomputableFunction.html

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