Question

The graph below does not represent a function. Explain why.

Answer 1

Notice how points T and Z are vertically aligned, or vertically lined up. This is where the graph fails the vertical line test.

The input x = 2 leads to the outputs y = 3 and y = 5 (which are the y coordinates of points Z and T in that order).

A function is only possible when any given input leads to exactly one output only. It would be like saying "the conversion function from Celsius to Fahrenheit has 0 degrees C convert to both 32 degrees F and 50 degrees F at the same time". But such a statement makes no sense and it's not useful. So this is one example of why having one output makes sense for a function.

In short, we need one output for any given input. But the input x = 2 leads to more than one output. That's why we don't have a function.