Final answer:
The domain of a function refers to the set of input values it can accept, while the range refers to the set of output values it can produce. A function is always defined by a specific domain and range.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of functions, the domain refers to the set of input values that the function can accept. It represents the possible values of the independent variable in a function. For example, if we have a function f(x) representing the height of a plant at different time points, the domain would be the set of all possible time values.
The range, on the other hand, refers to the set of output values that the function can produce. It represents the possible values of the dependent variable in a function. Using the previous example, if f(x) represents the height of a plant, the range would be the set of all possible heights the plant can reach.
A function is always defined by a specific domain and range. It specifies which inputs are valid and what outputs can be produced. This helps ensure that the function is well-defined and allows us to make meaningful calculations and interpretations.