Vertical Line Test

•Vertical Line Test: a relation is a function if a

vertical line drawn through its graph, passes
through only one point.

AKA: “The Pencil Test”

Take a pencil and move it from left to right
(– 𝒙 𝒕𝒐 𝒙); if it crosses more than one point, it is
not a function.
Vertical Line Test
Would this graph
be a function?

YES
Vertical Line Test
Would this graph
be a function?

NO
Graphs of Functions

a. c.

b.
d.

a & d are not function while b & c are functions

Vertical line test
If the vertical line intersects the graph at two or more points
then the graph is not a function
Which of the following equations
are functions?
1. 𝑦 = 𝑥2 + 3 5. 𝑥 − 2𝑦4 − 2 = 0
2. 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 5 6. 7𝑥 + 𝑦 = 5
3. 𝑦2 − 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 7. 𝑦 + 5 > 2𝑥 − 5
4. 𝑥2 − 𝑦3 = 6 8. 𝑥5 + 2𝑦6 = 1

Nos. 1, 2, & 4 are functions while nos. 3, 6, 5, 7 & 8 are not

Equations that are not functions
Remember:
When the equation of a relation is given we don’t
have a function if we have any of these
situations:
• y is absent from the equation
• y is enclosed in an absolute value
• y has an even exponent