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Characteristic function (convex analysis)
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<p>In the field of <a href="/facts/Mathematics/pxTouaz4">mathematics</a> known as <a href="/facts/Convex_analysis/SGhUNLMK">convex analysis</a>, the characteristic function of a set is a <a href="/facts/Convex_function/IbzG5SLF">convex function</a> that indicates the membership (or non-membership) of a given element in that set. It is similar to the usual <a href="/facts/Indicator_function/QEuh04NM">indicator function</a>, and one can freely convert between the two, but the characteristic function as defined below is better-suited to the methods of convex analysis. </p>