Hybrid Functions in the Sciences and Applied Mathematics

Cioffi-Revilla, Claudio

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3579413

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Hybrid Functions in the Sciences and Applied Mathematics

24 Pages Posted: 12 May 2020

See all articles by Claudio Cioffi-Revilla

Claudio Cioffi-Revilla

George Mason University - Center for Social Complexity; American Association for the Advancement of Science; American Mathematical Society; Society for Political Methodology

Date Written: April 18, 2020

Abstract

Mathematical models in many areas of science and applied mathematics contain hybrid functions, which are multidimensional (multivariate) objects constituted by a set of continuous and discrete variables, as opposed to one or the other. The heterogeneous character of hybrid functions presents some challenges to their analysis, because analytical tools and methods are usually of only one category. These notes provide a brief overview and survey of hybrid functions across the sciences (natural sciences, social sciences and engineering sciences, and applied mathematics) with a view toward improving their understanding and, ultimately, promote their formal analysis through proper mathematical and computational methods.

Keywords: multivariable functions, applied mathematics, calculus, scalars and vectors

JEL Classification: C

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Cioffi-Revilla, Claudio, Hybrid Functions in the Sciences and Applied Mathematics (April 18, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3579413 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3579413