1.

1 Characteristics of Functions

Learning Goals
● Identify the difference between a relation and a function
● Be able to state domain and range

Term Definition

Relation A relation is any set of ordered pairs

Function A function is a relation, a set of ordered pairs (x,y), in which for every x value,
there is only one y value

We can determine if a relation is a function from a graph through the vertical

line test

Vertical line test

Determine if the following are functions or not

a) b) c)
{(-5,8),(-2,-1),(-3,0),(4,1),(-5,9)
}

Relation Relation
Relation Function Function
Function

d) e) f)
{(-6,9),(-2,-1),(-3,0),(4,1),(9,9)}

Relation Relation Relation

Function Function Function
Domain and Range

Term Definition

Domain All the x-values of an equation or graph

Range All the y-values of an equation or graph

Determine the Domain and Range

a) b) c)
{ (-5,8), (-2,-1), (-3,0), (-5,9) } { (0, 1) , (2, 3), (4, 5), (10, 1)}

Domain Domain Domain

Range Range Range

Domain Domain

Range Range
 Domain Domain

Range Range

Domain

Range

Key Points
● A relation is a set of ordered pairs
● A function is a relation where each value of the independent variable corresponds
with only one value of the dependent variable. (For every x, there is only one y)
● If any vertical line intersects the graph of a relation more than once, then the
relation is NOT a function, this is referred to as the Vertical Line Test
● Domain is all the x - values of a function
● Range is all the y - values of a function