PA – 8.
1 Notes ~ Relations & Functions
Pre-Algebra Dr. Lange
Objective: To be able to use graphs to represent relations and functions.
Relation ......................... A pairing of numbers in a set, (an “x” & “y” coordinate pair is one example).
Domain .......................... Also called the input; is a number in a relation this gets inserted into an equation, resulting in
an output value. (In the coordinate system, the domain is the “x” value).
Range............................ Also called the output; is the resulting solution in a relation that is obtained after an input value
gets inserted into an equation. (In the coordinate system, the range is the “y” value).
Function Rule ................ A relation is a function if - for every value of “x”, there is only one value for “y”.
Vertical Line Test .......... A test used to determine if a graphed relation is a function.
Note: For a graphed relation in a coordinate system, the relation is a function if a vertical
line moving across the graph from left to right touches only a single point on the graphed line at
any given time. *If the vertical line touches two or more places on the graphed line at
the same time, then the relation is NOT a function.
Making an Input-Output Table
Example: 1
1 - Rewrite the equation in function form (y = mx + b).
Graph the function: 2x y 3
2 - Choose various “x” values; plug them into the Step - 1 2x y 3
equation and solve to find their paired “y” values.
Note: When solving each equation, make sure to write 2x 2x
the chosen “x” value and it’s resulting “y” value into y 2x 3
the table.
Note: A general guideline when making an input-output
table is to write the “x” values in numerical order.
Step - 2 x -2 -1 0 1 2
y -7 -5 -3 -1 1
Note: In step-2 of this example, to save space
work solving each equation was not shown.
Identifying the Domain and Range
Example: 2a
Note: The domains (which are also called inputs), are the “x”
values from either the Input-Output table, or from a set of Identify the Domain and Range from an
coordinate pairs (x, y). Input-Output table.
The ranges (which are also called outputs), are the “y”
values from either the Input-Output table, or from a set of x -2 -1 0 1 2
coordinate pairs (x, y). y -7 -5 -3 -1 1
1 - Using either an Input-Output table, or a set of Final solution:
coordinate pairs, list the domains in numerical order. Domain: -2, -1, 0, 1, 2
Range: -7, -5, -3, -1, 1
2 - Using either an Input-Output table, or a set of
coordinate pairs, list the ranges in numerical order. Example: 2b
Note: When listing the set of ranges, at this point, they are
not paired to the domains and must be listed in their Identify the Domain and Range from a
own numerical order. given set of coordinate pairs.
(-1, 2), (-3, -1), (3, 0), (-1, 4), (4, 7)
Note: When making a list of the domains or ranges, values are
listed one time only, even if they appear more than once in
Final solution:
a given set of domains, or a given set of ranges.
Domain: -3, -1, 3, 4
(*See example 2b)
Range: -1, 0, 2, 4, 7
Revised: 1/13/2018 3:45 PM
Graphing a Relation
Example: 3
1 - Rewrite the equation in function form (y = mx + b).
Graph the relation: 2x y 5
2 - Make an Input-Output table. Step - 1 2x y 5
Note: See “Making an Input-Output Table” above.
2x 2x
y 2x 5
3 - Using the paired “x” and “y” values, plot and draw
the points on the graph.
Step - 2 x 0 1 2 3 4
y -5 -3 -1 1 3
4 - Draw a line connecting the graphed points. Note: In step-2 of this example, to save space
work solving each equation was not shown.
Testing a Relation Step - 3 Plot & draw the points
(see graph below)
Rule: A relation is a function if for every “x” there is only one “y”.
Note: There are two types of tests to tell if a relation is a function, Step - 4
the vertical line test, and the mapping test. Final solution: Draw a line connecting
the graphed points
(see graph below)
y
Vertical Line Test (*See vertical line test on example 3)
1 - Graphed the relation; then on the graph, holding
a straight edge (ruler) vertically, slide the straight
edge across the graph.
2 - Test: If the vertical line (ruler) touches the
graphed line in two or more places at any given
time, then the relation is NOT a function. x
Mapping a Relation (*See example 4)
1 - List the domains (x) and ranges (y) in two vertical
columns, in numerical order.
Note: When making a mapping diagram, values are
listed one time only, even if they appear more
than once in a given set of domains, or a given
set of ranges.
Vertical Line Test - Slide a straight edge vertically
across the graphed. If it touches the graphed line in two
2 - Draw an arrow from each input to each of it’s or more places at any given time, then the relation is
NOT a function.
matching output/outputs.
Note: There may be more than one arrow coming
from a single input to multiple outputs. Example: 4
Use mapping to test the coordinate pairs:
3 - Test: If at any time, an arrow goes from a single (-1, 1), (2, 0), (3, 1), (3, 2), (4, 5)
input to multiple outputs, then the relation is NOT
Input Output
a function. Note:
Note: While for every “x”, there can be only one “y”, it -1 0 In this example, while the
is possible to have more than one “x” matched inputs -1 and 3 both have
an output of 1, this is OK.
2 1
with a single “y”. However because the input 3
3 2 has a couple of different
outputs, 1 and 2; this causes
4 5 the relation to fail the function
test and is NOT a function.
