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A relation is a function when an x value only has one y value associated with it. An easy way to tell this is to graph the relation, then draw a vertical line through it. If, at any point, it touches the graph twice, the relation isn't a function.
If a vertical line intersects the graph at more than one point then it is not a function.
A relation is also a function if each member of the domain (or x-coordinate) is paired with only one member of the range (or y-coordinate). If the relation is a set of ordered pairs that consists of real numbers a graph can be created to visualize the relation. If a vertical line can be drawn and only crosses or intersects the graph at one point then the relation is also a function.
One way is to try the vertical line test on a graph!
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