Question

Use the vertical line test to determine if the relation {( -6, -2). (-2, 6), (0, 3), (3, 5)} is a function. Explain your response.

Answer 1

Do you know how to apply the vertical line test? If something is a function, you should be able to draw a vertical line at any point and only hit one point. In other words, for every x, there should only be one y value (in this case)

Answer 2

I don't.. No, could you help me out here and show me what I am supposed to do with this?

Answer 3

(pretend the yellow lines are straight). I have drawn imaginary vertical lines on your coordinate grid. In reality, you should apply this test as though there are lines everywhere, raining down from the top to the bottom. Once a line hits a point, it should not hit another point. If it does it another point, by the vertical line test, this is not a function. (see my above definition, if it helps). In your graph, there is no vertical line that hits two points. Therefore, this is a function. Does this make sense?

Answer 4

Yes, it makes perfect sense. Thank you so much for your help, here's a medal!