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Decide whether this graph represents a function. Explain how you know.

Decide whether this graph represents a function. Explain how you know.-example-1
User Kaalus
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1 Answer

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For a relation to be a function, each input value, x, has to corresponds to a single output value, y. So, if a relation has a value of x that outputs more than one value of y, it is not a function. If every x outputs a single value of y, then its a function.

Graphically, a x that outputs more than one y is equivalent toa vertical line that intersecpts the graph more than once.

So, if a graph has at least one vertical line that intercept it more than once, that graph is not a functinon.

In the graph, we can see that in the interval (-2, 2), every vertical line intercepts the graph three times, for example:

So, this graph does not represent a function.

Decide whether this graph represents a function. Explain how you know.-example-1
User Dimitris Makris
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