Difference between revisions of "Vertical line test"
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| − | The '''vertical line test''' is a way of determining | + | The '''vertical line test''' is a way of determining whether or not a plotted [[graph of a function|graph]] is a [[function]]. |
| − | The vertical line test states that | + | The vertical line test states that a [[relation]] is a [[function]] [[iff]] no vertical [[line]] intersects the graph in more than one point. |
| − | + | This is because a function cannot have more than one output for any one input. | |
| − | + | For example, <math>y=x^2</math> is a function because any vertical line intersects it in, at most, one point, while <math>x^2+y^2=1</math> is not a function (try the line <math>x=0</math>). | |
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{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
[[Category:Algorithms]] | [[Category:Algorithms]] | ||
[[Category:Elementary algebra]] | [[Category:Elementary algebra]] | ||
[[Category:Functions]] | [[Category:Functions]] | ||
Revision as of 17:30, 25 April 2008
The vertical line test is a way of determining whether or not a plotted graph is a function.
The vertical line test states that a relation is a function iff no vertical line intersects the graph in more than one point.
This is because a function cannot have more than one output for any one input.
For example, 
is a function because any vertical line intersects it in, at most, one point, while 
is not a function (try the line 
).
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