Term: analytical function https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00332 Definition: A function which relates the measured value C(hat)a to the instrument reading, X, with the value of all interferants, Ci, remaining constant. This function is expressed by the following regression of the calibration results. \[\hat{C}_{\text{a}} = f\left(X\right)\] The analytical function is taken as equal to the inverse of the calibration function. Related Terms: 1) reading (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.R05189). Source: PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2174 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167) Citation: 'analytical function' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.A00332 License: The IUPAC Gold Book is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike CC BY-SA 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) for individual terms. Disclaimer: The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is continuously reviewing and, where needed, updating terms in the Compendium of Chemical Terminology (the IUPAC Gold Book). Users of these terms are encouraged to include the version of a term with its use and to check regularly for updates to term definitions that you are using.