Function Representations Practice Problems & Worksheets

Master verbal, tabular, and algebraic function representations with step-by-step practice problems. Learn correspondence rules and complete function tables.

📚Master Function Representations with Interactive Practice
  • Convert verbal function descriptions into algebraic expressions
  • Complete function tables using correspondence rules and given equations
  • Identify which tables represent valid functions vs non-functions
  • Solve for missing X and Y values in function relationships
  • Practice with linear, square root, and fractional function forms
  • Apply function concepts to real-world scenarios and word problems

Understanding Representing a Function Verbally and with Tables

Complete explanation with examples

Function, describes a correlation or coincidence between a dependent variable (Y Y ) and an independent variable (X X ). The legitimacy of this relationship between the variables is called the " correspondence rule ".

Verbal representation of a function

The verbal representation of a function expresses the connection between variables verbally, i.e. through a story.

A typical verbal representation of a function can look like this:

  • Assuming that Daniel reads all the books he buys that month, the total number of books Daniel reads per year (Y Y ) is a function of the number of books Danny buys each month (X X ).

Tabular representation of a function

A tabular representation of a function is a demonstration of the legitimacy of a function using a table of values X X (independent variable) and the corresponding values Y Y (dependent variable).

In general, a table of values is shown as follows:

A1 - Verbal representation of a new function

Detailed explanation

Practice Representing a Function Verbally and with Tables

Test your knowledge with 12 quizzes

Given the following graph, determine which table corresponds to the following table

–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777888999101010111111121212–1–1–1111222333444555666777000

Examples with solutions for Representing a Function Verbally and with Tables

Step-by-step solutions included
Exercise #1

Determine whether the data in the following table represent a constant function

XY012348

Step-by-Step Solution

It is important to remember that a constant function describes a situation where as the X value increases, the function value (Y) remains constant.

In the table, we can observe that there is a constant change in X values, meaning an increase of 1, and a non-constant change in Y values - sometimes increasing by 1 and sometimes by 4

Therefore, according to the rule, the table does not describe a function

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #2

Determine whether the following table represents a function

XY-226101416111621

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the given pairs of (X,Y)(X, Y).
  • Step 2: Verify that each XX maps to exactly one YY.
  • Step 3: Conclude whether the table represents a function.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The pairs given are: (2,1)(-2, 1), (2,6)(2, 6), (6,11)(6, 11), (10,16)(10, 16), (14,21)(14, 21).

Step 2: For each input value XX, we check its corresponding output YY:

  • X=2X = -2 maps to Y=1Y = 1
  • X=2X = 2 maps to Y=6Y = 6
  • X=6X = 6 maps to Y=11Y = 11
  • X=10X = 10 maps to Y=16Y = 16
  • X=14X = 14 maps to Y=21Y = 21
None of the values of XX is associated with more than one different YY value.

Step 3: Since each XX value has exactly one corresponding YY value, the table represents a function.

Yes

Answer:

Yes

Video Solution
Exercise #3

Is the given graph a function?

–7–7–7–6–6–6–5–5–5–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333000

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the given graph represents a function, we use the vertical line test: if any vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point, the graph is not a function.

Let's apply this test to the graph:

  • Examine different sections of the graph by drawing imaginary vertical lines.
  • Look for intersections where more than one point exists on the vertical line.

Upon examining the graph, we observe that there are several vertical lines that intersect the graph at multiple points, particularly in areas with loops or overlapping curves. This indicates that at those x x -values, there are multiple y y -values corresponding to them.

Since there exist such vertical lines, according to the vertical line test, the graph does not represent a function.

Thus, the solution to this problem is that the given graph is not a function.

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #4

Is the given graph a function?

–7–7–7–6–6–6–5–5–5–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333444555666777–4–4–4–3–3–3–2–2–2–1–1–1111222333000

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine whether the graph represents a function, we apply the Vertical Line Test. Here are the steps we follow:

  • Step 1: Visualize placing a vertical line across various parts of the graph.
  • Step 2: Check if the vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point at any given position.

Step 1: On evaluating the given graph carefully, there is a notable presence of a vertical line passing through multiple y-values. Specifically, the vertical line goes from y=3 y = -3 to y=3 y = 3 at x=3 x = 3 .

Step 2: Since this vertical line at x=3 x = 3 intersects the graph at an infinite number of points, it fails the Vertical Line Test.

Therefore, the graph does not represent a function. According to our analysis and the Vertical Line Test, the correct answer is No.

Answer:

No

Video Solution
Exercise #5

Determine whether the following table represents a constant function

XY-101247

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine if the table represents a constant function, we need to examine the Y-values corresponding to the X-values given in the table.

  • Step 1: Identify the given values from the table. The pairs are as follows: - For X=1X = -1, Y=2Y = 2 - For X=0X = 0, Y=4Y = 4 - For X=1X = 1, Y=7Y = 7
  • Step 2: Check if all Y-values are the same. Compare Y-values for each X-value:
  • - Y=2Y = 2 when X=1X = -1, - Y=4Y = 4 when X=0X = 0, - Y=7Y = 7 when X=1X = 1.

Since the Y-values (2, 4, and 7) are not the same, the function is not constant.

Thus, the table does not represent a constant function. The correct choice is: No.

Answer:

No

Video Solution

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between verbal and tabular representation of functions?

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Verbal representation describes the function relationship through words or a story, while tabular representation shows the function using a table with X (independent) and Y (dependent) variable values. Both methods demonstrate the same correspondence rule but in different formats.

How do I complete a function table when given an equation?

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To complete a function table: 1) Substitute each X value into the given equation, 2) Calculate the corresponding Y value, 3) Record both values in the table. For example, if Y = X - 2 and X = 5, then Y = 5 - 2 = 3.

What makes a table represent a valid function?

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A table represents a valid function when each X value (input) corresponds to exactly one Y value (output). If any X value appears with multiple different Y values, it is not a function.

How do I write a verbal description of a function from a table?

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Analyze the pattern in the table to identify the relationship between X and Y values. Then describe this relationship in words, such as 'Y is 3 more than X' for the pattern Y = X + 3.

What are the most common types of function representations?

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The four main function representations are: • Verbal (word descriptions) • Algebraic (equations like Y = 2X + 5) • Tabular (tables of X and Y values) • Graphical (coordinate plane plots)

How do I solve for X when given a Y value in a function?

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Replace Y in the equation with the given value, then solve for X algebraically. For example, if Y = 2X + 3 and Y = 11, substitute: 11 = 2X + 3, so 8 = 2X, therefore X = 4.

Why do some function practice problems use fractions and decimals?

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Functions can involve any real numbers, including fractions and decimals. These problems help students understand that correspondence rules work with all number types, not just whole numbers, preparing them for more advanced mathematics.

What is a correspondence rule in function representation?

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A correspondence rule is the mathematical relationship that defines how each input (X) value connects to exactly one output (Y) value. It's the 'rule' that makes the function work, such as 'multiply by 5' or 'subtract 2'.

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