Homonym: lambda (Wavelength)
A "lambda" is a term used in mathematics and computer science to represent an anonymous function or a function without a name. In programming, particularly in languages like Python and JavaScript, lambda functions allow developers to create small, concise functions that can be defined in a single line. This makes code easier to read and write, especially for short operations.
In mathematics, lambda often denotes a variable or a constant in equations. It is also used in calculus to represent eigenvalues in linear algebra. The symbol itself (λ) has roots in Greek, where it is the 11th letter of the alphabet, further emphasizing its widespread use in various scientific fields.