In mathematics, a function is a relationship between two sets where each input (or element from the first set, called the domain) is associated with exactly one output (or element from the second set, called the range). In simpler terms, for every value you input, there is one and only one corresponding output.
In the context of the table provided, the days of the week can be seen as the input (domain), and the number of children in the car serves as the output (range). To determine whether this table represents a function, we can examine if each day of the week (input) corresponds to exactly one number of children (output).
Reviewing the table:
- Sunday → 2 children
- Monday → 4 children
- Tuesday → 4 children
- Wednesday → 3 children
- Thursday → 4 children
- Friday → 3 children
- Saturday → 0 children
Since every day of the week is paired with a specific and unique number of children (with no day repeating an output), the relationship described by the table meets the definition of a function. Thus, the table demonstrates a function.
Overall, the table shows a function because each day of the week (the input) corresponds to one and only one number of children (the output).