Parameter definition (http://mathinsight.

org/definition/parameter)

A parameter is a quantity that influences the output or behavior of a mathematical

object but is viewed as being held constant. Parameters are closely related to variables, and the
difference is sometimes just a matter of perspective. Variables are viewed as changing while
parameters typically either don't change or change more slowly. In some contexts, one can
imagine performing multiple experiments, where the variables are changing through each
experiment, but the parameters are held fixed during each experiment and only change
between experiments.
One place parameters appear is within functions. For example, a function might a
generic quadratic function as

f(x)=ax2+bx+c.f(x)=ax2+bx+c.
Here, the variable xx is regarded as the input to the function. The symbols aa, bb,
and cc are parameters that determine the behavior of the function ff. For each value of the
parameters, we get a different function. The influence of parameters on a function is captureed
by the metaphor of dials on a function machine.

Parameter (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/Parameter.html)

The term "parameter" is used in a number of ways in mathematics. In general, mathematical

functions may have a number of arguments. Arguments that are typically varied when plotting,
performing mathematical operations, etc., are termed "variables," while those that are not
explicitly varied in situations of interest are termed "parameters." For example, in the standard
equation of an ellipse
(1)

and

are generally considered variables and

and

are considered parameters. The

decision on which arguments to consider variables and which to consider parameters may be
historical or may be based on the application under consideration. However, the nature of a
mathematical function may change depending on which choice is made. For example, the above
equation is quadratic in and , but if

and

are instead considered as variables, the resulting

equation
(2)

is quartic in

and .

In the theory of elliptic integrals, "the" parameter is denoted

and is defined to be
(3)

where

is the elliptic modulus. An elliptic integral is written

used, whereas it is usually written

when the parameter is

where the elliptic modulus is used. The elliptic

modulus tends to be more commonly used than the parameter (Abramowitz and Stegun 1972,
p. 337; Whittaker and Watson 1990, p. 479), although most of Abramowitz and Stegun (1972,
pp. 587-607),

i.e.,

the

entire

chapter

on

elliptic

integrals,

and

the Wolfram

Language's EllipticE, EllipticF, EllipticK, EllipticPi, etc., use the parameter.

The complementary parameter is defined by
(4)

where
Let

is the parameter.

be the nome,

the elliptic modulus, where

. Then
(5)

where
inverse of

is the complete elliptic integral of the first kind, and

. Then the

is given by

(6)

where

is a Jacobi theta function.