Algebraic Representation of Functions Practice Problems

Master algebraic function representation with practice problems on slopes, linear equations, and finding functions from points. Includes step-by-step solutions.

📚What You'll Practice in This Section
  • Calculate slopes of linear functions using two points and the slope formula
  • Find algebraic representations of linear functions given slope and a point
  • Identify slopes directly from linear equations in y = mx + b form
  • Convert table data into algebraic function representations
  • Apply the point-slope formula to create function equations
  • Solve real-world problems using algebraic function models

Understanding Algebraic Representation of a Function

Complete explanation with examples

A function is a connection between an independent variable (X) (X) and a dependent variable (Y) (Y) . The relationship between the variables is called a "correspondence rule".

An algebraic representation of a function is actually a description of the relationship between the dependent variable (Y) (Y) and the independent variable (X) (X) by means of an equation.

The following is the typical structure of a graphical representation:

  • Y=X+3 Y=X+3 , Y=2X5 Y=2X-5

For example, if the data is that every month, Daniel earns20.000 20.000 dollars.

The algebraic representation will be X X for the number of months Y Y f(X) f (X) for the amount earned. f(x)=20000X f (x) = 20000X

A1 - algebraic representation of a function

Detailed explanation

Practice Algebraic Representation of a Function

Test your knowledge with 12 quizzes

Given the following graph, determine which table corresponds to the following table

–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777888999101010111111121212–1–1–1111222333444555666777000

Examples with solutions for Algebraic Representation of a Function

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Determine whether the data in the following table represent a constant function

XY012348

Step-by-Step Solution

It is important to remember that a constant function describes a situation where as the X value increases, the function value (Y) remains constant.

In the table, we can observe that there is a constant change in X values, meaning an increase of 1, and a non-constant change in Y values - sometimes increasing by 1 and sometimes by 4

Therefore, according to the rule, the table does not describe a function

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Determine whether the following table represents a function

XY-226101416111621

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given pairs of (X,Y)(X, Y).
  • Step 2: Verify that each XX maps to exactly one YY.
  • Step 3: Conclude whether the table represents a function.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The pairs given are: (2,1)(-2, 1), (2,6)(2, 6), (6,11)(6, 11), (10,16)(10, 16), (14,21)(14, 21).

Step 2: For each input value XX, we check its corresponding output YY:

  • X=2X = -2 maps to Y=1Y = 1
  • X=2X = 2 maps to Y=6Y = 6
  • X=6X = 6 maps to Y=11Y = 11
  • X=10X = 10 maps to Y=16Y = 16
  • X=14X = 14 maps to Y=21Y = 21
None of the values of XX is associated with more than one different YY value.

Step 3: Since each XX value has exactly one corresponding YY value, the table represents a function.

Yes

Answer:

Yes

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Is the given graph a function?

–7–7–7–6–6–6–5–5–5–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333000

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the given graph represents a function, we use the vertical line test: if any vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point, the graph is not a function.

Let's apply this test to the graph:

  • Examine different sections of the graph by drawing imaginary vertical lines.
  • Look for intersections where more than one point exists on the vertical line.

Upon examining the graph, we observe that there are several vertical lines that intersect the graph at multiple points, particularly in areas with loops or overlapping curves. This indicates that at those x x -values, there are multiple y y -values corresponding to them.

Since there exist such vertical lines, according to the vertical line test, the graph does not represent a function.

Thus, the solution to this problem is that the given graph is not a function.

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Is the given graph a function?

–7–7–7–6–6–6–5–5–5–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333000

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine whether the graph represents a function, we apply the Vertical Line Test. Here are the steps we follow:

  • Step 1: Visualize placing a vertical line across various parts of the graph.
  • Step 2: Check if the vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point at any given position.

Step 1: On evaluating the given graph carefully, there is a notable presence of a vertical line passing through multiple y-values. Specifically, the vertical line goes from y=3 y = -3 to y=3 y = 3 at x=3 x = 3 .

Step 2: Since this vertical line at x=3 x = 3 intersects the graph at an infinite number of points, it fails the Vertical Line Test.

Therefore, the graph does not represent a function. According to our analysis and the Vertical Line Test, the correct answer is No.

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Determine whether the following table represents a constant function

XY-101247

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the table represents a constant function, we need to examine the Y-values corresponding to the X-values given in the table.

  • Step 1: Identify the given values from the table. The pairs are as follows: - For X=1X = -1, Y=2Y = 2 - For X=0X = 0, Y=4Y = 4 - For X=1X = 1, Y=7Y = 7
  • Step 2: Check if all Y-values are the same. Compare Y-values for each X-value:
  • - Y=2Y = 2 when X=1X = -1, - Y=4Y = 4 when X=0X = 0, - Y=7Y = 7 when X=1X = 1.

Since the Y-values (2, 4, and 7) are not the same, the function is not constant.

Thus, the table does not represent a constant function. The correct choice is: No.

Answer:

No

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is algebraic representation of a function?

+
An algebraic representation of a function is an equation that describes the relationship between the dependent variable (Y) and independent variable (X). For example, Y = 2X + 3 shows that Y equals two times X plus three.

How do you find the slope of a linear function from two points?

+
Use the slope formula: m = (y₂ - y₁)/(x₂ - x₁). Substitute the coordinates of your two points and calculate. For points (2,10) and (-5,-4), the slope is (10-(-4))/(2-(-5)) = 14/7 = 2.

What does y = mx + b represent in function notation?

+
This is the slope-intercept form where: • m = slope of the line • b = y-intercept (where line crosses y-axis) • x = independent variable • y = dependent variable

How do you write a linear function equation given slope and a point?

+
Step 1: Use y = mx + b format. Step 2: Substitute the known slope for m. Step 3: Substitute the point coordinates for x and y. Step 4: Solve for b (y-intercept). Step 5: Write the complete equation.

Can you find function equations from data tables?

+
Yes! Choose any two points from the table, calculate the slope using m = (y₂-y₁)/(x₂-x₁), then use one point with the slope in y = mx + b to find b. This gives you the complete algebraic representation.

What's the difference between linear and quadratic function representation?

+
Linear functions have the form y = mx + b (first degree, creates straight lines). Quadratic functions have the form y = ax² + bx + c (second degree, creates parabolas). The highest exponent determines the function type.

Why is algebraic representation important in mathematics?

+
Algebraic representation allows you to: 1) Express relationships mathematically 2) Make predictions and calculations 3) Solve real-world problems 4) Convert between different function representations 5) Analyze function behavior systematically.

How do you identify the slope from a function equation like y = -3x + 7?

+
In the standard form y = mx + b, the coefficient of x is always the slope. So in y = -3x + 7, the slope m = -3. The constant term (+7) is the y-intercept.

More Algebraic Representation of a Function Questions

Continue Your Math Journey

Practice by Question Type