What makes a graph not a function?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the characteristics that disqualify a graph from being considered a function. A key idea is the vertical line test, where if a vertical line crosses the graph at more than one point, then it is not a function.
Answer
A vertical line intersecting the graph at two or more points indicates it is not a function.
The final answer is that if a vertical line can intersect the graph at two or more points, then the graph does not represent a function.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that if a vertical line can intersect the graph at two or more points, then the graph does not represent a function.
More Information
The vertical line test helps determine if a graph represents a function. If a vertical line can be drawn through more than one point on the graph, it indicates that a single x-value is mapped to multiple y-values, which violates the definition of a function.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing the vertical line test with the horizontal line test. The vertical line test determines if a relation is a function, while the horizontal line test determines if a function is one-to-one.
Sources
- Your Guide to Intermediate Algebra - math.libretexts.org
- Identify Functions Using Graphs | College Algebra - courses.lumenlearning.com
- How do I determine whether a graph is a function? - Quora - quora.com
