Function Representation Practice: Graph & Algebraic Problems

Master graphical and algebraic representations of functions with step-by-step practice problems. Learn to graph linear functions, find equations, and interpret function graphs.

📚What You'll Master in Function Representation Practice
  • Graph linear functions using slope-intercept form and point-slope method
  • Find algebraic equations of lines given slope and coordinates
  • Identify points on function graphs and verify coordinate solutions
  • Convert between different representations of the same function
  • Determine parallel line equations with given constraints
  • Interpret graphical data to solve real-world function problems

Understanding Graphical Representation of a Function

Complete explanation with examples

As we learned in an article on functions, the standard "correspondence rule" is a connection between a dependent variable (Y) (Y) and an independent variable (X) (X) .

By means of a graph or drawing, which gives a visual aspect to the concept of the function. From the graph it is possible to understand whether it is a linear function (straight line), a quadratic function (parabola) and more.

Remember that when it comes to a graphical representation of a function, each point in the domain X X will always have only one point within the range Y Y . Therefore, not every drawing is a graphical representation of a function. Here is an example.

A1 - Graphical representation of a function

Detailed explanation

Practice Graphical 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 Graphical 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

How do I graph a linear function step by step?

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Start with the function equation like y = mx + b. Create a table of values by choosing x-values and calculating corresponding y-values. Plot these coordinate points on the Cartesian plane and connect them with a straight line.

What's the difference between slope-intercept and point-slope form?

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Slope-intercept form is y = mx + b where m is slope and b is y-intercept. Point-slope form is y - y₁ = m(x - x₁) where (x₁, y₁) is a known point and m is the slope. Both represent the same linear function.

How do I find the equation of a line passing through a point?

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Use the formula y = mx + b. Substitute the known slope (m) and the coordinates of the given point for x and y. Solve for b (y-intercept), then write the complete equation.

What makes two lines parallel in function representation?

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Parallel lines have identical slopes but different y-intercepts. If one line has equation y = 2x + 5, a parallel line would be y = 2x + k where k ≠ 5.

How can I tell if a graph represents a function?

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Use the vertical line test: if any vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point, it's not a function. Each x-value must correspond to exactly one y-value.

What are the main types of function graphs I should know?

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Key function types include: • Constant functions (horizontal lines) • Linear functions (straight diagonal lines) • Quadratic functions (parabolas) • Cubic functions (S-shaped curves) • Exponential functions (curved growth/decay)

How do I verify if a point lies on a function graph?

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Substitute the x-coordinate into the function equation and calculate the result. If the calculated y-value matches the y-coordinate of the point, then the point lies on the graph.

What's the easiest way to practice function representations?

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Start with simple linear functions, create value tables, plot points, and verify your graphs. Practice converting between algebraic equations and graphical representations using different slopes and intercepts.

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