/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 55 Explain why the graph of the equ... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91Ó°ÊÓ

91Ó°ÊÓ

Explain why the graph of the equation is not the graph of a function. $$x=y^{2}$$

Short Answer

Expert verified
The graph of \( x = y^2 \) is not a function because each \( x \, (>0) \) value has two potential \( y \) values, failing the vertical line test.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Equation

The equation given is \( x = y^2 \). Notice how the variable \( x \) is expressed in terms of \( y \) squared.
02

Definition of a Function

A function assigns exactly one output \( y \) for every input \( x \). This means that for each \( x \) value, there should be only one corresponding \( y \) value.
03

Testing the Equation

Rewrite the equation as \( y = \pm \sqrt{x} \). This means for each positive \( x \), there are two \( y \) values (\( +\sqrt{x} \) and \( -\sqrt{x} \)).
04

Analyzing the Graph

The graph of \( x = y^2 \) is a sideways parabola. For any \( x > 0 \), there are two points on this graph corresponding to the same value of \( x \) (one in the upper half, \( y = +\sqrt{x} \), and one in the lower half, \( y = -\sqrt{x} \)).
05

Conclusion about Function

Since there can be more than one \( y \) value for a given \( x \) value, the graph does not represent a function.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Parabola
A parabola is a symmetrical, curved shape that you often see in graphs. In usual math classes, we mostly deal with vertical parabolas, like the graph of the equation \( y = x^2 \). This kind of parabola opens upwards or downwards.
  • In a vertical parabola, each \( x \) value corresponds to exactly one \( y \) value.
  • This is a typical feature of functions, as they provide one output for each input.
The equation \( x = y^2 \) gives us a different type of parabola, which is not vertical but sideways. This sideways parabola does not meet the typical definition of a function because a single \( x \) value can correspond to multiple \( y \) values.
Function Definition
Understanding the definition of a function is crucial in mathematics. A function is a relation where every input (commonly \( x \)) has exactly one output (commonly \( y \)). This concept can be visualized as a machine that accepts an input and produces one consistent product.
  • If you can find more than one \( y \) value for a given \( x \), then it’s not a function.
  • Think of functions like vending machines: if you press a button (input) and get several products (outputs), the machine isn't functioning properly!
Multiple Y-Values
The equation \( x = y^2 \) can be rewritten as \( y = \pm \sqrt{x} \), indicating two potential outputs for each positive \( x \) value. This results in a single \( x \) associated with two \( y \) values, \(+\sqrt{x} \) and \(-\sqrt{x} \).
  • For instance, if \( x = 4 \), then \( y \) could be 2 or -2.
  • This situation contradicts the fundamental requirement of a function, where an \( x \) should map to exactly one \( y \).
Because of the possible multiple \( y \)-values, the graph of \( x = y^2 \) is not a graph of a function.
Horizontal Line Test
The horizontal line test is a visual way to determine if a graph represents a function.
  • Draw horizontal lines across the graph.
  • If any horizontal line crosses the graph at more than one point, the graph does not represent a function.
In the case of a sideways parabola like \( x = y^2 \), a horizontal line intersects the graph at two points for almost every \( x \).
This confirms that the graph fails the horizontal line test, indicating it's not a function.

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