.

.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Functions

A function is a relationship where there is exactly one output per input. There can be multiple inputs for one output. When a function is graphed, it passes the vertical line test, meaning that if I drew a vertical line through the graph, it would only touch the graph once. Functions can be represented on a graph, table, formula, or in words. The standard function notation is output = f (input). Below is an example of a graph of a function.
 


This is an example of a function in a table. You plug the x, which is the input value, into the equation below in order to get y, which is the output value.
F(x)= x+3
X (input)
F(x) (output)
3
6
4
7
5
8
6
9
7
10
8
11


Functions are useful because they show the relationship between dependent and independent variables. An example of this is the relationship between temperature and time of day, time being the independent (x) variable, and temperature being the dependent (y) variable since temperature is related to the time of day.

5 comments:

  1. I liked your explanation a lot, it was very concise and informative!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You're explanation was really straight forward and easy to understand

    ReplyDelete
  3. The chart helped a lot with you description!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great detailed description of what a function is!

    ReplyDelete
  5. kirsten,

    nice explanation of what a function is! your table looked good and your use of vocab was spot on. i could not see your first graph, unfortunately, but other than that, good job!

    professor little

    ReplyDelete