ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Generalized function

A generalized function is a type of math object that helps us describe things that might not have easy-to-understand solutions.

Imagine you have a cake that you want to slice into equal pieces, but each piece must have a different size. Now, normally, we would struggle to find a math formula that describes how big each slice would be. Enter the generalized function!

A generalized function is like a superpowerful tool that can generate a solution to questions like these, without having to use traditional formulas. It takes in an input, like the size of the cake, and then it generates an output, which tells you how big each slice would be. It's like a magic wand in math!

The cool thing about generalized functions is that they can help us describe things that traditional functions can't easily handle. For example, they can help us describe things that change rapidly or have undefined values, or even things that are just impossible to calculate using traditional methods.

So, in short, a generalized function is like a supercharged math formula that can handle lots of different problems and find unique solutions that other methods can't. It's a very powerful tool for mathematicians and scientists to solve difficult problems and understand complex systems.