Answer to Question #264426 in Algebra for Paul Carpenter

Question

Reflect on the concept of function. What concepts (only the names) did you need to accommodate the concept of function in your mind? What is the simplest function you can imagine? In your day to day, is there any occurring fact that can be interpreted as a function? Is it possible to view a function? What strategy are you using to get the graph of a function?

Answer 1

Function is an expression, rule, or law that defines a relationship between one variable (the independent variable) and another variable (the dependent variable).

“A function is a mathematical tool to help us manage how two values change together".

Name of concept we need to accommodate the concept of function are -- input, output,rule ,domain,range, mapping and variation (direct and inverse).

Now

Simplest function can ve imagine is constant function

where c is some constant.

In day to day occuring fact--

Real life situation for linear function is when we apply force on a block it accelerates and it goes on increasing as force is increasing.

Yes it is possible to view a graph.

Strategy to plot a graph is --

(1)Set up a coordinate plane.

(2)Label the horizontal axis "x" and the vertical axis "y".

(3) Choose x (input) values that are included in the domain of the function. If the domain includes 'O' you will be finding the 'y-intercept' of the function.

(4)Write the input and output as a point: (x, y). Plot that point.

(5)Choose other x values within the domain and calculate the corresponding y value for each.

(6)Plot several more points and draw a line or a curve through them.