Unit: Relations and Functions Module: An Introduction to Functions

Introducing Relations and Functions

• Relations are connections that link two sets together.

• Any set of ordered pairs is a relation.

• Functions are special relations that do not reuse elements from the first set.

• The vertical line test is a way to see if a relation is a function.

This set of points is an example of a relation. Notice

several characteristics of all relations:
1. The set is a collection of ordered pairs.
2. Every first element is paired with a second element.

A subset of relations is the collection of sets known as

functions. Functions are distinct from other relations
because no first element is repeated.
Because functions are a subset of relations each one
still is a set of ordered pairs and every first element is
paired with a second element.
Graph the ordered pairs in both examples to visualize
what each set looks like.
Examining the relation on the left, two of the points
have the same first element. On the graph those
points appear on top of each other. A vertical line
passes through both points.
A function prohibits the same first element from being
used in more than one pair. Looking at the graph on
the right with a vertical line passing through each
point, no line passes through more than one point.
This fact has become known as the vertical line test
to separate functions from relations.

Another method for visually experiencing a set of

ordered pairs is called “mapping.” This is a pictogram
wherein each element in the left set is joined to its
partner in the right set with an arrow.

For a set to be a function, no element in the left set

can have more than one arrow matching it with an
element in the right set.

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Unit: Relations and Functions Module: Introduction to Functions [Page 1 of 1]
Functions and the Vertical Line Test
• A relation is a set of ordered pairs in which any given x-value may be
paired with more than one y-value.

• A function is a set of ordered pairs in which each x-value is matched with

exactly one y-value.

• A function is a set of ordered pairs in which each x-value is matched with

exactly one y-value.

If each time you use a specific value for x in an

equation, you get exactly one value for y, then the
equation is a function.

In this example, solving for a random value, x = 1,

you get exactly one answer, y = 36. Only one y-
value is possible for this or any other x, so the
equation qualifies as a function.

In this example, if you solve for x = 2, you get

exactly one answer, y = 49. Only one y-value is
possible for this or any other x, so the equation
qualifies as a function.

In this example, if you solve for x = $5, you get

exactly one answer, y = $100. Only one y-value is
possible for this or any other x, so the equation
qualifies as a function.

The graph on the left represents a function. No

matter where you place the vertical line it passes
through only one point on the curve.
For each x there is only one (x,y) point.

The graph on the right does not represent a

function because the vertical line passes through
more than one point. This type of graph
represents a relation.

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 Unit: Relations and Functions Module: Introduction to Functions [Page 1 of 1]

Function Notation and Values

• Function notation replaces the “y = “ in an equation with “f(x) =” which
shows that each y-value depends on the value used for x.

• f(x) shows the y-value for the given x and shows that the y-value can be
found when an x-value is known and used in the equation. Other letters are
frequently used as well, so that you may find g(x), h(x), and so on.

• f(x) is read “f of x.” If the expression was f(2), it would be read “f at 2.” f(2)
indicates the value that y has in this function when x = 2.

For this function, f(2) means to substitute 2 in each place

that you find an x in the expression. Then solve for the
value of the expression to determine f(2). f(2) is the y-value
for the point where x = 2 in this expression. Since this f(2) =
7, on a graph, you would find the point (2,7).

This notation replaces the old “y =” notation.

This f(1) uses 1 for every x to determine that f(1), or y,

equals 1. On a graph this is the point (1,1).
Now f(0) replaces x with 0 and it turns out that f(0) equals –
1. On a graph this is the point (0,-1).

For this function, g(2) equals 1/5. On a graph, this is the

point (2,1/5)

For this function, h(2) equals 3 . On a graph, this is the

point (2, 3 ).

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