Is it a function? Vertical line test, and reading values from graphs and tables
Grade 9 Math Worksheet

Circle the best answer, or write your answer on the line.
Jun sketches a V-shaped sled run. Is the graph a function?
- No: it is not a straight line
- No: the horizontal line at y = 4 touches it twice
- Yes: no vertical line touches it twice
Kira traces a snail's curved trail, a sideways U. Is the graph a function?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a curve through (4, 2), (1, 1), (0, 0), (1, −1), (4, −2). Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a curve through (4, 2), (1, 1), (0, 0), (1, −1), (4, −2). −1 1 2 3 4 5 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 0 - Yes: every input has an output
- Yes: it is a smooth curve with no breaks, so each input gets one output
- No: the vertical line at x = 4 touches it at (4, 2) and (4, −2)
Luz traces a circle around a play ball. Is the graph a function?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a circle through (5, 0), (0, 5), (−5, 0), (0, −5). Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a circle through (5, 0), (0, 5), (−5, 0), (0, −5). −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 - No: the vertical line at x = 0 touches it at (0, 5) and (0, −5)
- Yes: every input from −5 to 5 has an output, so the graph is a function
- No: the horizontal line at y = 0 touches it twice
Milo draws a U-shaped soup bowl. Is the graph a function?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a U shape through (−2, 4), (−1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 4). Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a U shape through (−2, 4), (−1, 1), (0, 0), (1, 1), (2, 4). Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): a U shape −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 −1 1 2 3 4 5 0 - Yes: no vertical line touches it twice
- No: the horizontal line at y = 4 touches it twice
- No: it is not a straight line
Ren's timer follows the relation |y| = x (x is the input). Test x = 5. Is it a function?
- Yes: the input 5 gives only y = 5
- No: any equation with bars fails
- No: the input 5 gives y = 5 and y = −5
Tala's cat game uses the relation y = |x| (x is the input). Test x = 2 and x = −2. Is it a function?
- No: the inputs 2 and −2 give the same output
- Yes: each input gives one output (2 and −2 both give 2)
- No: any equation with bars fails
Bo plots a sneaker test. The graph shows f(x), a score. What is f(0)?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−2, 5), (0, −3), (2, −6), (4, 1), joined by line segments. Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−2, 5), (0, −3), (2, −6), (4, 1), joined by line segments. −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 −7 −6 −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 Esme's bell rings louder over time. The graph shows f(x). For which x is f(x) = 5?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−2, 1), (0, 4), (2, 5), (5, 9), joined by line segments. Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−2, 1), (0, 4), (2, 5), (5, 9), joined by line segments. −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jun's hat test is plotted. The graph shows f(x). For which x is f(x) = 7?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−3, −2), (−1, 0), (1, 5), (3, 7), joined by line segments. Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (−3, −2), (−1, 0), (1, 5), (3, 7), joined by line segments. −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 −3 −2 −1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 Kira's scarf grows longer. The graph shows f(x). For which x is f(x) = 8?
Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (0, 2), (2, 4), (4, 8), (6, 10), joined by line segments. Graph on a grid (each square is one unit): dots at (0, 2), (2, 4), (4, 8), (6, 10), joined by line segments. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10