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42 votes
42 votes
Which of the following represents a function?

(5, 1), (5, 2), (5, 3), (5, 4)
(-5, 6), (-5, 6), (-5, -6), (-5, -6)
(8, 3), (8, 3), (-8, -3), (-8, -3)
(3, 9), (-7, 1), (6, 12), (3, -9)

User Blues
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1 Answer

25 votes
25 votes

Answer:

(8,3),(8,3),(-8,-3),(-8,-3)

Explanation:

A function is defined as a relation in which each domain element (x-value) is paired with exactly one range element (y-value).

This means that each value we input for x must have only one possible output. If the same x-value yields more than one y-value, it is not a function.

The correct answer, as shown above, meets the criteria of a function, as each x-value is shown to produce exactly one y-value. In this set of ordered pairs, if x=8, then y=3, and if x=-8, then x=-3.

In the other sets of ordered pairs, however, one x-value has more than one possible y-value. Let's use the first set as an example:

(5,1),(5,2),(5,3),(5,4)

Inputting 5 as x produces four different y values; there is no one y value for the x-value. y could equal 1, 2, 3, or 4.

User Ebbishop
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