ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Elementary function arithmetic

Elementary function arithmetic is when we use basic math operations (like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) to work with functions. A function is basically a machine that takes in a number and gives us another number as output.

Let's say we have a function called f(x) = 2x + 1. This means that if we put in a number, like 3, the machine will do some math and give us an output of 7 (because 2 times 3 is 6, and then we add 1 to get 7).

Now let's say we want to do some arithmetic with this function. We can add or subtract two functions, like f(x) + g(x), and we just have to add or subtract their output values for each input value. So if g(x) = x^2, then f(x) + g(x) = 2x + 1 + x^2.

We can also multiply or divide functions, like f(x) * g(x), by multiplying or dividing their output values. So f(x) * g(x) = (2x + 1) * x^2, which we can simplify to 2x^3 + x^2.

In summary, elementary function arithmetic is just doing basic math operations with functions, by working with their output values.