Minkowski's question mark function

proper noun

A function, denoted ?(x), with unusual fractal properties, mapping quadratic irrational numbers to rational numbers on the unit interval, via an expression relating the continued fraction expansions of the quadratics to the binary expansions of the rationals.

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Meanings

proper noun
  1. mathematicsA function, denoted ?(x), with unusual fractal properties, mapping quadratic irrational numbers to rational numbers on the unit interval, via an expression relating the continued fraction expansions of the quadratics to the binary expansions of the rationals.

Origin

Defined by Hermann Minkowski in 1904.

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Cite this entry
APA

Minkowski's question mark function. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Minkowski's%20question%20mark%20function

MLA

“Minkowski's question mark function.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Minkowski's%20question%20mark%20function. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Minkowski's question mark function,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Minkowski's%20question%20mark%20function.

Source: Minkowski's question mark function on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.