Question

Use the table to answer the question.
Day of the Week Number of Children in the Car
Sunday 2
Monday 4
Tuesday 4
Wednesday 3
Thursday 4
Friday 3
Saturday 0

Describe the meaning of the word function in math. Then consider the table. Why does this table show a function?
(2 points)

Math Short Answer Rubric (2 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
2

The answer is correct. The student made no errors while solving.

The answer shows that the student used problem-solving skills and reasoning.

All work is shown or explained.
1

The answer is partially correct. The student made errors while solving.

The answer shows little problem-solving skills or reasoning.

Some work is shown or explained.
0 The question is not answered.

Answer 1

In mathematics, a function is a relationship or rule that assigns each input exactly one output. In simpler terms, for every value in the domain (the set of possible inputs), there is a unique corresponding value in the range (the set of possible outputs). This means that no input can map to more than one output.

Considering the table provided:

| Day of the Week | Number of Children in the Car |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| Sunday | 2 |
| Monday | 4 |
| Tuesday | 4 |
| Wednesday | 3 |
| Thursday | 4 |
| Friday | 3 |
| Saturday | 0 |

This table demonstrates a function because each day of the week (the input) corresponds to one specific number of children in the car (the output). No day has more than one value associated with it; for instance, if you input "Monday," the output (the number of children) is always 4. Thus, the table satisfies the definition of a function as each day uniquely determines one number of children.

To summarize, the table shows a function because each input (day of the week) has a unique output (number of children in the car).