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Why does the vertical line test tell us whether the graph of a relation represents a function? When a vertical line intersects the graph of a relation more than once, it indicates that for that output there is more than one input, which means the relation is not a function. When a vertical line intersects the graph of a function more than once, it indicates that for that output there is more than one input, which means the function is not a relation. When a vertical line intersects the graph of a relation more than once, it indicates that for that input there is more than one output, which means the relation is not a function.

Ask by Gross Campbell. in the United States
Mar 10,2025

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Answer

When a vertical line crosses the graph of a relation more than once, it means that for the same input, there are multiple outputs. This violates the definition of a function, which requires each input to have exactly one output. Therefore, the vertical line test shows that the relation is not a function.

Solution

1. **Definition of a Function:** A function assigns exactly one output for each input. In mathematical notation, for a function \( f \), for every \( x \) in the domain, there is exactly one \( y \) such that \( f(x) = y \). 2. **Vertical Line Test Explanation:** A vertical line represents a constant \( x \) value. When a vertical line intersects a graph, it collects all the \( y \) values corresponding to that particular \( x \). - If the line intersects the graph more than once, it means that there is an \( x \) with more than one corresponding \( y \)-value. - This violates the definition of a function since a function must assign only one \( y \)-value for each \( x \). 3. **Correct Choice:** The correct explanation is: *"When a vertical line intersects the graph of a relation more than once, it indicates that for that input there is more than one output, which means the relation is not a function."* Thus, the right option is the third one.

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The Deep Dive

The vertical line test is a fantastic way to determine if a graph represents a function! Imagine you're drawing a nice straight line that goes up and down. If this line touches the graph at more than one point, it’s like saying that one x-value (input) is trying to be matched with multiple y-values (outputs). In the world of functions, every input must be paired with exactly one output, so that’s a big no-no for being a function! This test is not just a neat trick for math class; it's widely used in programming and data visualization! For example, when software developers create graphs or charts, they often need to ensure the data being represented accurately reflects its functional relationships. Keeping an eye out for vertical line interactions helps avoid what would otherwise lead to confusion in interpreting data. So, next time you're coding or plotting, remember to give that vertical line a stroll across your graph!

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