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This lesson delves into the mathematical concepts of relations and functions. It explains how to identify whether a given relation is a function using methods like the vertical line test. The domain, which is the set of all possible inputs, and the range, the set of all possible outputs, are also discussed. Practical examples include analyzing ages and heights in a family to determine if they form a function. The vertical line test is highlighted as a graphical method to test if a relation is a function. The lesson is beneficial for students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the mathematical relationships between sets of numbers.
| | 11 Theory slides |
| | 11 Exercises - Grade E - A |
| | Each lesson is meant to take 1-2 classroom sessions |
Consider the following pair of graphs. Apart from the shape of the graphs, what difference can be established between them? If needed, press the button to show a vertical line. Then, move the line horizontally and watch for the number of times it intersects each graph along the way.
In the previous exploration, each graph represented a certain relationship between the variables x and y. In fact, the value of y depends on the value of x. Next, the definition of relation is developed along with one way of visualizing it.
A relation, or relationship, is a rule that relates the elements of one set to the elements of another set. The first set is called the set of inputs and the second set is called the set of outputs. In a relation, an input can have zero outputs, one output, or more than one output.
Often, a relation is thought of as a set of ordered pairs of the form (x,y). In this case, the x-values represent the inputs and the y-values the outputs. However, a relation can also be represented using a mapping diagram, a table of values, or a set of points on a coordinate plane.
A mapping diagram is a graphic tool that helps to visualize a relation. In a mapping diagram, the inputs are listed in one set and the outputs in another. Then, arrows are drawn from each input to its corresponding outputs.
Ignacio, the younger brother of Kriz, loves watching Kriz's college volleyball games. He recorded Kriz and their teammates' names, ages, and heights. Ignacio is such a curious kid that he wants to describe some relations based on these values. Then he will share them with his big sibling.
Represent the relation between Kriz's teammates' ages and heights using a table of values, a mapping diagram, a set of ordered pairs, and points in a coordinate plane.
| Ages | 18 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heights (m) | 1.70 | 1.96 | 1.85 | 1.75 | 1.91 | 1.87 |
Mapping Diagram:
Ordered Pairs: {(18,1.70), (20,1.96), (23,1.85), (20,1.75), (21,1.91), (19,1.87)}
Coordinate Plane:
First, organize the relation using a table of values. Place the ages in the first row and the heights in the second row.
| Ages | 18 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 21 | 19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heights (m) | 1.70 | 1.96 | 1.85 | 1.75 | 1.91 | 1.87 |
The same relation can be displayed using a mapping diagram. Place the ages in a set and the heights in a different set. Then, connect each age with its corresponding height by using arrows. It is not necessary to write 20 twice in the ages set.
To write the relation using ordered pairs, the ages will be placed in the first coordinate of each ordered pair, and the corresponding heights will be placed in the second coordinate. { &(18,1.70),(20,1.96),(23,1.85), &(20,1.75),(21,1.91),(19,1.87) }
Finally, the relation between the ages and heights of the players can be represented using points in the coordinate plane. To do so, the ages will be placed along the horizontal axis and the heights along the vertical axis. Here, the axes will be drawn using different scales.
Note that by hovering over each point, the corresponding information is shown.
Among all the possible relations, those assigning only one output to every input are of particular interest.
A function is a relation in which each input is assigned to exactly one output. The set of all possible inputs is called the domain of the function and the set of all possible outputs is called the range. If x represents the inputs and y the outputs of a function, it is often said that y is a function of x
or that y depends on x.
y = f(x)
This way of representing the dependent variable is called function notation. A function can be represented using a table, a mapping diagram, an equation, or a graph.
| Determining Whether a Relation Is a Function | |
|---|---|
| If represented as | Use |
| a set of coordinates or a table of values | a mapping diagram |
| a graph in the coordinate plane | the vertical line test |
The domain of a function is the set of all x-values, called inputs, for which the function is defined. As an example, consider the following functions. f(x) & = 3x [0.2cm] g(x) & = sqrt(x) [0.3em] h(x) & = 1/x Their domains can be written by analyzing the definition of each function.
| Function | Analysis | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| f(x) = 3x | Multiplying by 3 is defined for all real numbers. | All real numbers |
| g(x) = sqrt(x) | Square roots are not defined for negative numbers. | All non-negative numbers — that is, x≥ 0 |
| h(x) = 1/x | Dividing by zero is undefined. | All real numbers except 0 — that is, x≠ 0 |
The domain of a function can be determined through a variety of methods depending on how the function is represented.
The range of a function is the set of all y-values, called outputs, of the function. The range depends on both the domain and the function itself. For example, consider the following functions and their defined domains.
| Function | Domain |
|---|---|
| f(x)=2x | All integers |
| g(x)=x^2 | All real numbers |
| h(x)=4 | All real numbers |
The ranges of each function can be determined by analyzing the definition of each function along with the given domains.
| Function | Domain | Analysis | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| f(x) = 2x | All integers | The function takes any integer input and produces an output that is an even number, as each input is multiplied by 2. | All even numbers |
| g(x) = x^2 | All real numbers | The function takes any real number input and produces an output that is a non-negative number, as each input is squared. | All non-negative numbers. That is, y≥ 0 |
| h(x) = 4 | All real numbers | The function takes any real number input and sends it to 4. | Only the number 4. That is, the range is {4} |
The method used to determine the range of a function can vary depending on how that function is represented.
A comparison for a function is to think of it as a machine. The inputs are the materials placed in the machine, and the outputs are the objects created. In the following applet, there are four preset inputs. This particular machine only accepts numbers between -100 and 100 to be plugged in as materials. See what happens!
It is essential to determine whether a relation describes a function or not. For example, imagine that a programmer wrote the following relation for a printer's software.
If a user selects color=0, then they cannot be sure if the document will be printed in black or red. In this case, the programmer needs to write a relation that is a function. Determining if a relation is a function can be done by using either a mapping diagram or the Vertical Line Test. The appropriate method to be used depends on how the relation is represented.
Given a relation, a mapping diagram can be used to determine whether the relation is a function. For example, consider the relation given by the following set of coordinates. {(4,3),(0,-5),(-3,3),(8,0),(4,-5)} To figure out if a relation is a function, there are four steps to follow.
If the relation is given as a vertical table, the inputs are the values in the first column.
If the relation is given as a vertical table, the outputs are the values in the second column.
Here, the input 4 has two different outputs, 3 and -5. By definition, for a relation to be a function, every input must be assigned to exactly one output. As such, the given relation is not a function.
The vertical line test is a graphical method to determine whether a given relation is a function. For example, consider the following relations.
| Relation I | Relation II | Relation III |
|---|---|---|
| (y - 2)(y + 1) = x | y=x(x+1)(x-2) | |c|c|c|c|c|c|c|c| x & -2.25 & -1.75 & -1 & -1 & 0 & 1 & 2 y & -2 & 0 & 2 & -1 & 1 & -0.75 & 0.5 |
To determine whether the relations are functions, follow these two steps.
Notice that l_3 cuts the first graph at two different points. The line m_2 also passes through two different points. This means that neither Relation I nor Relation III is a function. However, all of the vertical lines drawn over Relation II only intersect the graph one time at most. Because of this, Relation II is a function.
Keep in mind that before stating whether a relation is a function, the vertical lines drawn have to cover the entire domain to ensure that no vertical line cuts the graph more than once.
Points with the same x-value belong to the same vertical line.
This is why drawing a vertical line and moving it across the graph reveals if the graph is a function or not.
Note that when determining whether a relation is or is not a function, it must be assumed that the graph of a relation continues without any significant change beyond the boundaries of the coordinate plane. If this were not the case, it could never be determined from a graph whether a relation is a function.
Ignacio enjoyed displaying the relations between the ages and heights of Kriz's teammates so much that he wanted to go a step further and continue analyzing relations. He then asked Ramsha and Diego the ages and heights of their family members and wrote that data, including each player's values, in the following sets.
Note that (18,1.75) means that some member of Ramsha's family is 18 years old and 1.75 meters tall.
By listing the numbers from least to greatest, and including each element only once, the domain and range of R are as follows. Domain ofR &= {12,18,23,43,47} Range ofR &= {1.36,1.75,1.82,1.85}
By listing the numbers from least to greatest, and including each element only once, the domain and range of D are as follows. Domain ofD &= {15,21,41} Range ofD &= {1.72,1.88,1.91,1.94}
Then, each age will be connected to the corresponding height using an arrow.
Remember that for mapping diagrams, a relation is a function if there is only one arrow drawn from each input to an output. In this case, the age is the input.
In the first mapping diagram, each age is assigned to only one height. Therefore, R represents a function. On the contrary, in the second mapping diagram, 41 is assigned to two different heights. In that case, set D cannot represent a function.
Only set R represents a function.
By analyzing the two data sets, some other conclusions can be drawn.
Of course, based on the given information, it does not have to be the exact situation. The conclusions were done simply to show one way of interpreting the data recorded.
Having completed some analysis for Kriz's volleyball team, Ignacio now has some free time. He is digging around his school's library computer. He finds some juicy information about a recently created virtual coin. There is a graph that shows the fluctuation in the coin's exchange rate during its first ten days after it was created.
As seen, the graph is drawn for every value from 0 to 10, both ends included. Therefore, the domain is 0≤ x ≤ 10. To find the range, look at all the y-values for which the graph is drawn.
The range goes from 0.5 to 8, both endpoints included. Therefore, the range is 0.5≤ y ≤ 8.
From the above, the domain is 0.5≤ x ≤ 8. Next, look at the y-values.
The range goes from 0 to 10. It can be written as 0≤ y ≤ 10.
As seen, any vertical line never intersects the graph more than once. That means the first graph represents a function. Now, repeat the same procedure for the second graph.
Unlike the previous graph, here, there is at least one vertical line that intersects the graph more than once. This graph does not represent a function.
Only the first graph represents a function.
At first, Ignacio was glad that his mistake only caused the graph to change domains and ranges. He only realized that it was no longer a function when he applied the vertical line test. He better change it back before someone needs to use the database!
The following applet displays a relation either as a set of ordered pairs, a group of coordinate points in the coordinate plane, or a curve in the coordinate plane. For any given relation, determine whether it is a function.
Consider a relation represented by the following graph. Note that any vertical line drawn between -4 and -2 intersects the graph more than once. Then, by the Vertical Line Test, the graph is not a function. However, by changing the relation's domain using x_1 and x_2, it is possible to convert the graph into a function.
As before, the initial graph is not a function, but it can be converted into a function by restricting either its domain or range. By moving x_1 and x_2, investigate whether restricting the domain will make the graph a function.
When a relation is represented as a mapping diagram, the domain is the set formed by all the elements inside the input set. Let's point out these elements in the given diagram.
Note that elements in a set are usually, though not necessarily, written in order from least to greatest. This means that the elements of the domain of the given relation is the set {-10,-1,0,9}.
When a relation is represented as a mapping diagram, the range is the set formed by all the elements inside the output set. Let's point out these elements in the given diagram.
Although -4 is the output of two different inputs, we do not need to write -4 twice when writing the range. This is because elements of a set are written only once. Then, the range of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-4,2,7}.
When a relation is represented as a mapping diagram, the domain is the set formed by all the elements inside the input set — the set from which the arrows start. Let's point out these elements in the given diagram.
As we can see, the domain of the given relation is the set {4,sqrt(2),-1,7}. Domain = {4,sqrt(2),-1,7} Usually, when writing the domain of a relation, it is convenient to order the elements from least to greatest so that we can easily identify the minimum and maximum values if needed. In our case, the domain of the relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-1,sqrt(2),4.5,7}.
When a relation is represented as a mapping diagram, the range is the set formed by all the elements inside the output set — the set of elements that the arrows point to. Let's point out these elements in the given diagram.
From this, the range of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-6.5,-4,1,2,7}.
To find the domain of a graph, we look at all the x-values for which the graph is drawn. One way to do this is by going through the graph from left to right and noting the starting and ending x-values.
The starting x-value is -9 and the ending x-value is 8. Also, we can see that all the numbers in between are included in the graph. In other words, the graph is drawn for every value between -9 and 8. This implies that the domain of the given relation is -9 ≤ x ≤ 8.
To find the range of a graph, we look at all the y-values for which the graph is drawn. We will go through the graph in a similar way to what we did in the previous part, but this time we pay attention to the minimum and maximum y-values.
The minimum y-value is -3 and the maximum y-value is 7. In addition, all the numbers in between are included in the graph. That is, the graph is drawn for every y-value between -3 and 7. We can conclude that the range of the given relation is -3 ≤ y ≤ 7.
To find the domain of a graph, we will look at all the x-values for which the graph is drawn. First, let's identify the minimum and maximum x-values for which the graph is drawn.
The minimum value is -5 and the maximum value is 9. Additionally, the graph is drawn for every number between these two values.
We can conclude that the domain of the given relation is -5 ≤ x ≤ 9.
To find the range of a graph, we look at all the y-values for which the graph is drawn. In a similar way to what we did in the previous part, we start by identifying the minimum and maximum y-values for which the graph is drawn.
We can see that the minimum value is -2 and the maximum value is 8. Also, the graph is drawn for every number between these two values.
Then, we can say that the range of the given relation is -2 ≤ y ≤ 8.
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3 |
| -1 | 14 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 0 | -2 |
| -3 | 0 |
When a relation is given as a table of values, we first identify the independent and dependent variables. In our case, we are told that y depends on x, so we know that y is the dependent variable. Independent Variable &→ x Dependent Variable &→ y To find the domain from a table of values, we look at the row or column corresponding to the independent variable. In this case, we look at the column corresponding to the x-values.
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3 |
| -1 | 14 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 0 | -2 |
| -3 | 0 |
The domain of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-3,-1,0,2,6}.
From the previous part, we already know that x is the independent variable and y is the dependent variable. To find the range, we look at the row or column corresponding to the dependent variable. Let's look at the column corresponding to the y-values.
| x | y |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3 |
| -1 | 14 |
| 6 | 3 |
| 0 | -2 |
| -3 | 0 |
Notice that 3 appears twice. However, when writing the range, it is enough to write the value only once. Therefore, we can say that the range of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-2,0,3,14}.
The domain of a relation represented by a set of ordered pairs is formed by the first coordinates of the ordered pairs. Therefore, let's start by identifying the corresponding coordinates in the given pairs.
Notice that 3 appears twice in the set. However, when writing a set, it is enough to write each element once. Therefore, the domain of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-5,0,2,3,9}.
When a relation is given a set of ordered pairs, the range is represented by the second coordinates of all of the ordered pairs. Thus, we will start by pointing out the second coordinates.
As in the previous part, we can see that there are some repeated elements — namely, 0 and -2. However, when writing the range, we will write them only once, without repetition. Therefore, the range of the given relation, written from least to greatest, is the set {-2,0,1,6}.