Question 84090: I would like to get a clear deffinition of a function. Why do we use functions. What are we trying to solve
Answer by rapaljer(4671)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A function is a set of points in which no two points have the same x coordinate. It is like a set of points that has a special uniqueness relationship. For example, is you have x=y^2, this is NOT a function because if you let x = a given number, like 4, and you solve for y, you will get TWO values of y (that is, y = 2 or y=-2), so there is NOT a unique value of y.
On the other hand, if you have y=x^2, then this IS a function, since for any value of x, there is ONLY one value of y, so it does have this uniqueness property.
For more on Functions, Domain, and Range, see my Lesson Plan in algebra.com, or go to my own website by clicking on my tutor name "rapaljer" anywhere in algebra.com, then look for "MATH IN LIVING COLOR", "College Alegebra", "Chapter 2", "Functions, Domain, and Range".
R^2 at SCC
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