Educator

Functions

• A function is a relation in which each element of the domain is paired with exactly one element of the range.

• A relation is a function if and only if its graph passes the vertical line test: any vertical line passes through the graph at no more than one point.

• If f is a function, we use function notation to describe f. For example, we could write f(x) = 3x + 2. The function f can be evaluated for specific values of x, such as 5. We write f(5) = 3(5) + 2 + 17. Thus, f(5) is an element of the range of f.

• For the function f(x), x represents the independent variable and f(x) represents the dependent variable.