The error function, also called the Gauss error function and often denoted erf, is defined by a definite integral of the exponential of negative t squared, scaled so its value approaches 1 as its argument grows large. It is a nonelementary, sigmoid-shaped function that occurs often in probability, statistics, and partial differential equations; for a normally distributed real random variable with mean 0 and standard deviation one over the square root of two, the error function gives the probability that the variable falls within a given symmetric range around zero. Two closely related functions are the complementary error function, equal to one minus the error function, and the imaginary error function.
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Is Kind Of Object
Entity-backed identity for the object-kind enum value this mathematical object already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The object-kind fact itself stays on the object unchanged.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Error function
Naming section
The name 'error function' and its abbreviation erf were proposed by J. W. L. Glaisher in 1871 on account of its connection with 'the theory of probability, and notably the theory of errors'.
Introduction, second paragraph
This nonelementary integral is a sigmoid function that occurs often in probability, statistics, and partial differential equations.
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