Final answer:
A function is a relationship between inputs and outputs; for instance, the total pay as a function of hours worked at a fixed hourly wage can be expressed as f(x) = 15x, where f(x) represents total pay and x is the number of hours worked.
Step-by-step explanation:
A function is a mathematical relationship where each input is related to exactly one output. A simple real-world example of a function could be the relationship between the amount of hours worked and the total pay received for a part-time job. If someone is paid $15 per hour, then the function can be described as 'Pay = $15 × hours worked.'
Written as a mathematical equation, this would be:
f(x) = 15x, where f(x) represents the total pay and x represents the number of hours worked.
To illustrate, if you work 8 hours, the function would give us f(8) = 15 × 8, which equals $120. So, the total pay (the output) is directly related to the hours worked (the input) by a constant factor, which in this case is the hourly wage.