Asymptotic
- Category
- STANDARD MATHEMATICS
- Definition
- A description of leading behaviour as a parameter approaches a limiting regime such as becoming very large.
- Math Level
- TECHNICAL
An asymptotic description tells how a function or sequence behaves as a parameter approaches a limiting regime, such as becoming very large.
An asymptotic formula need not be an exact equality at finite parameter values; instead it captures the leading behaviour and, ideally, controls the error. Scaling laws and turning-point approximations are common asymptotic statements.
See also: scaling law, turning point, WKB approximation, convergence.