Billy was playing a game with their cousins at their family barbeque. Billy rolls a 6-sided die. The number of candies each player gets is determined by the number rolled. Below is the mapping of Billy's game, showing the possible inputs and outputs.

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Part I: Does the mapping of Billy's game represent a function? Why or why not?

1 answer

To determine if the mapping of Billy's game represents a function, we need to understand the definition of a function. A function is a relation that assigns exactly one output (in this case, the number of candies) for each input (the number rolled on the die).

In this case, Billy rolls a 6-sided die, which means the possible inputs are the numbers 1 through 6. If the mapping shows that each number rolled corresponds to exactly one output (number of candies), then it represents a function.

Assuming the mapping specifies that:

  • Rolling a 1 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 2)
  • Rolling a 2 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 4)
  • Rolling a 3 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 1)
  • Rolling a 4 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 3)
  • Rolling a 5 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 5)
  • Rolling a 6 gives you a specific number of candies (e.g., 0)

If every input (1 through 6) leads to a single, defined output and no input maps to multiple outputs, then the mapping does indeed represent a function.

So, to answer the question: Yes, the mapping of Billy's game represents a function because each number rolled corresponds to exactly one output (number of candies).