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Ch. 2 - Graphs and Functions
Lial - College Algebra 13th Edition
Lial13th EditionCollege AlgebraISBN: 9780136881063Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 3, Problem 20

For each graph, determine whether y is a function of x. Give the domain and range of each relation.
Graph showing a piecewise curve with points at (0,0), (3,4), and a vertical segment, illustrating domain and range.

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Identify if y is a function of x by using the vertical line test. If any vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point, then y is not a function of x.
Step 2: Observe the graph carefully. Notice that for each x-value, there is exactly one corresponding y-value. This means the graph passes the vertical line test, so y is a function of x.
Step 3: Determine the domain by looking at the x-values covered by the graph. The graph starts from approximately x = -20 and extends to the right indefinitely, so the domain is \([-20, \infty)\).
Step 4: Determine the range by looking at the y-values covered by the graph. The graph starts from about y = -15 and goes up to y = 30, then continues horizontally at y = 30, so the range is \([-15, 30]\).
Step 5: Summarize: y is a function of x, with domain \([-20, \infty)\) and range \([-15, 30]\).

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Definition of a Function

A function is a relation where each input (x-value) corresponds to exactly one output (y-value). This means no vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point. Understanding this helps determine if y is a function of x by checking if each x has a unique y.
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Domain and Range

The domain is the set of all possible x-values for which the function or relation is defined. The range is the set of all possible y-values that the function or relation can take. Identifying these sets helps describe the behavior and limits of the graph.
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Vertical Line Test

The vertical line test is a visual method to determine if a graph represents a function. If any vertical line drawn through the graph intersects it more than once, the graph does not represent a function. This test is essential for analyzing the given graph.
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