Describe several different ways to represent a function?

Answer 1

1. Verbal - This is the first way functions are presented in the function game: "Double and add six."
2. Algebraic - This is the most common, most concise, and most powerful representation: 2x+6 . Note that in an algebraic representation, the input number is represented as a variable (in this case, an x).
3. Numerical - This can be done as a list of value pairs, as (4,14) - meaning that if a 4 goes in, a 14 comes out. (You may recognize this as (x,y) points used in graphing.)
4. Graphical - This is discussed in detail in the section on graphing.

These are not four different types of functions: they are four different views of the same function. One of the most important skills in Algebra is converting a function between these different forms, and this theme will recur in different forms throughout the text.