Question

Hi guys I have a math assignment, and I am having trouble understanding it. I know how to solve it, but it's asking for a function, here it is
"Create your own function to teach the Martians about functions. Your function must contain at least two different operations."
This is the problem
2x+4=-3x+14
I know the answer is 2, but I don't understand the question right. Please help.

Answer 1

a "function" is a rule. You are given a number, and the "rule" tells you what do to that number to get a "new number"

Here is a *simple* example:
f(x)= x

the rule says, "give me a number, and the "new" number is just what we started with"
(not much of a rule, but that's ok)

in your case they want you to do at least 2 things to it. i.e. multiply , divide, add , subtract , exponent , square root, etc.

I would stick to multiply and add

Answer 2

your
***2x+4=-3x+14***
is an equation, which is a different idea

if you said
f(x) (this is the "name" of the function" uses the rule 2x+4
i.e. f(x)= 2x + 4

that would be a good answer

Answer 3

OK thank you, the next part is this "Using complete sentences, prove to Splott and Fizzle that your function is a legitimate function.". I took intermediate algebra(at a college) so I barley remember this math...... How would you plug in 2x+4? Or like where? Grr

Answer 4

a function is a relation between input and output, with the requirement
that each input is related to *exactly one* output.

in other words, if you "put in" the same value, you always get back the same output value.
Here is *not* a function
\[ y = \pm \sqrt{x} \]
if you put in 1 for x, y can be either +1 or -1. A function would allow only 1 fixed value.

your equation is the equation of a line, so it is a function.
if you pick an x, there will be only one y value that you get for that x value.

Answer 5

Thank you a lot. I reread an older lesson, and I think I can complete this. Its somehow so confusing. grr but anyways thanks

Answer 6

For background see these videos
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/functions_and_graphs

and in particular, here is an example:
https://www.khanacademy.org/math/algebra2/functions_and_graphs/recognizing-functions-2/v/recognizing-functions-example-1
there are also other examples.

Answer 7

Sorry, I forgot to mark you as best response. But I figured something out :)