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3: DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN RELATIONS and FUNCTIONS: TABLES

IMPORTANT RULE: The difference between a function and a relation is that in a function, each x has one single corresponding y while in a relation, an x can have more then one corresponding y.

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1. Function: Each of the x's map to one single y.

Input x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
Output y 3 4 5 6 7 8
     

2. Not a Function: x = 1 maps once to y = 6 and second to y = 7.
This is a relation.

Input x -2 -1 0 1 1 2
Output y 3 4 5 6 7 8

CONCEPT CHECK: Identify the following table as a relation or a function.

Input x -3 -1 0 1 2 2
Output y 3 4 5 6 8 8