if you can program, you can read maths (understanding its purpose is a different issue)
this formula defines a function U(x). This means that it gives a recipe that takes a number x and produces a number U(x). The recipe depends on an already prepared set of ingredients: a set of numbers x1, x2, ..., xt, k, and another function f. Now, given a number x, to compute U(x), you first compute all the numbers f(xi)-k*|x-xi|, and then you pick the smallest one. This smallest value is then U(x).
The graph below the formula displays its interpretation. The graph of the function f is the red curve, the points (xi, f(xi)) are the black dots, and U(x) is in green.
this formula defines a function U(x). This means that it gives a recipe that takes a number x and produces a number U(x). The recipe depends on an already prepared set of ingredients: a set of numbers x1, x2, ..., xt, k, and another function f. Now, given a number x, to compute U(x), you first compute all the numbers f(xi)-k*|x-xi|, and then you pick the smallest one. This smallest value is then U(x).
The graph below the formula displays its interpretation. The graph of the function f is the red curve, the points (xi, f(xi)) are the black dots, and U(x) is in green.