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Implicit Function

A function which is not defined explicitly, but rather is defined in terms of an algebraic relationship (which can not, in general, be ``solved'' for the function in question). For example, the Eccentric Anomaly $E$ of a body orbiting on an Ellipse with Eccentricity $e$ is defined implicitly in terms of the mean anomaly $M$ by Kepler's Equation

\begin{displaymath}
M = E-e\sin E.
\end{displaymath}




© 1996-9 Eric W. Weisstein
1999-05-26