Essential Questions:

• What is a function?

• What are the characteristics of a function?

• How do you determine if a relation is a function?

• How is a function different from a relation?

• Why is it important to know which variable is the

independent variable?

Unit 2 - Functions 1
 Some Definitions-
 A relation between two variables x and y is a set
of ordered pairs

 An ordered pair consists of an x and y-coordinate

 A relation may be viewed as ordered pairs, mapping
design, table, equation, or written in sentences

 x-values are input, independent variable,

domain.

 y-values are output, dependent variable, range

2
 What is a function?
According to a textbook, “a function
is…a relation in which every input
has exactly one output”

3
 Is a relation a function?
• Focus on the x-coordinates, when given a relation

If the set of ordered pairs has different x-coordinates,

it IS A function
If the set of ordered pairs has same x-coordinates,
it is NOT a function
•
Y-coordinates have no bearing in determining functions
Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 4
 Example 1
{(0, 5), (1, 4), (2, 3), ( 3, 2), (4, 1), (5, 0)}

•Is this a relation?

YES
•Is this a function?
•Hint: Look only at the x-coordinates

YES
5
 Example 2
{(–1, 7), (1, 0), (2, 3), (0, 8), (0, 5), (–2, 1)}

Is this a function?
•
•Hint: Look only at the x-coordinates

NO
Is this still a relation?
•

YES
6
Example 6
Which relation mapping represents a function?

A. B.

B
Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 7
 Vertical Line Test
•Vertical Line Test: a relation is a function if a
vertical line drawn through its graph, passes through
only one point.

AKA: “The Pencil Test”

Take a pencil and move it from left to right (–x to x);
if it crosses more than one point, it is not a function

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 8

Vertical Line Test

Would this
graph be a
function?

YES
Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 9
Vertical Line Test

Would this
graph be a
function?

NO
Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 10
Is the following function discrete or
continuous? What is the Domain?
What is the Range?

Discrete



-7, 1, 5, 7, 8, 10



1, 0, -7, 5, 2, 8

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 11

Is the following function discrete or
continuous?
What is the Domain? What is the
Range?

continuous

 8,8
 


 6,6
 

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 12

Is the following function discrete or
continuous? What is the Domain?
What is the Range?

continuous

 0,45
 


10,70
 

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 13

Is the following function discrete or
continuous? What is the Domain?
What is the Range?

discrete

 -7, -5, -3, -1, 1, 3, 5, 7
 

2, 3, 4, 5, 7

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 14

 Example 7
Which situation represents a function?

a. The items in a store to their prices on a certain

date
b. Types of fruits to their colors
There is only one price for each different A fruit, such as an apple, from the domain
item on a certain date. The relation from would be associated with more than one
items to price makes it a function. color, such as red and green. The relation
from types of fruits to their colors is not a
function.

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 15

 Domain and Range in Real Life
The number of shoes in x pairs of shoes can be expressed by the
equation y = 2x.

What is the independent variable?

The # of pairs of shoes.

What is the dependent variable?

The total # of shoes.

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 16

 Domain and Range in Real Life
Mr. Landry is driving to his hometown. It takes four hours to get
there. The distance he travels at any time, t, is represented by the
function d = 55t (his average speed is 55mph.

What is the independent variable?

The time that he drives.

What is the dependent variable?

The total distance traveled.

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 17

 Domain and Range in Real Life
Johnny bought at most 10 tickets to a concert for him and his friends.
The cost of each ticket was $12.50.
Complete the table below to list the possible domain and range.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
12.50 25.00 37.50 50 62.50 75 87.50 100 112.50 125

What is the independent variable?

The number of tickets bought.
What is the dependent variable?
The total cost of the tickets.

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 18

 Domain and Range in Real Life
Pete’s Pizza Parlor charges $5 for a large pizza with no toppings.
They charge an additional $1.50 for each of their 5 specialty toppings
(tax is included in the price).

What is the independent variable?

The number of toppings

What is the dependent variable?

The cost of the pizza

Unit 4 - Relations and Functions 19