What is the smallest change to the arrows that makes this relation a function?
My prediction and reason
Before changing the arrows, mark every input that has no output or two different outputs. Predict whether two inputs may share an output.
Evidence and observations
Draw A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {5, 7} with 1 → 5, 2 → 5, 3 → 7. Record the number of outputs for each input.
Remove the arrow from 3; then restore it and add 2 → 7. For each version, identify the input that breaks the function condition and one repair.
For A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {6, 8, 10}, send all inputs to 8. Record the domain, the output set B and the attained range separately.
Explain or give a counterexample
Transfer
Students are matched to their birth month, and birth months to students. Which direction always defines a function when every student has one recorded birth month? Explain the direction of the input.
Exit task
A = {a, b, c}, B = {1, 2}. The arrows are a → 1, b → 1, c → 1 and c → 2. Is this a function? Give one smallest repair.
5 min predict the faulty inputs; 12 min repair arrows; 8 min state the definition; 12 min paper examples; 3 min exit check.
What is the smallest change to the arrows that makes this relation a function?
Before changing the arrows, mark every input that has no output or two different outputs. Predict whether two inputs may share an output.
Evidence tasks
- Draw A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {5, 7} with 1 → 5, 2 → 5, 3 → 7. Record the number of outputs for each input.
- Remove the arrow from 3; then restore it and add 2 → 7. For each version, identify the input that breaks the function condition and one repair.
- For A = {1, 2, 3}, B = {6, 8, 10}, send all inputs to 8. Record the domain, the output set B and the attained range separately.
Reference reasoning
A function assigns exactly one output to every element of its domain. Sharing an output is allowed, so the first and constant-output diagrams are functions. An unused element of B does not invalidate a function. The actual range contains only outputs reached by an arrow; in the constant example it is {8}.
Does this mapping define a function from A to B?
A={1,2,3},B={5,7};1↦5,2↦5,3↦7 - Each of 1, 2 and 3 has exactly one output.
- Yes. Inputs 1 and 2 sharing output 5 are allowed; the range is {5, 7}.
Find the range when every input is sent to 8.
A={1,2,3},B={6,8,10},f(x)=8 (x∈A) - The only attained output is 8, although B has three elements.
- The range is {8}. This constant rule is a function.
Transfer and exit task
Students are matched to their birth month, and birth months to students. Which direction always defines a function when every student has one recorded birth month? Explain the direction of the input.
A = {a, b, c}, B = {1, 2}. The arrows are a → 1, b → 1, c → 1 and c → 2. Is this a function? Give one smallest repair.
No: c has two distinct outputs. Remove either c → 1 or c → 2; one arrow removal is enough.
- Identifies c, rather than the shared output 1, as the problem.
- Keeps exactly one output for every input after the repair.
Questions
- If two arrows arrive at 5, which input has two outputs?
- Does every element of B have to be used? What does the range record?
Expected responses
- Students may reject many-to-one. Trace the diagram from each input to correct this.
- A missing arrow needs one addition; one input with two outputs needs one removal.
Confusions
- Do not define a function by counting arrows arriving at outputs.
- Keep the stated output set B separate from the attained range.
Board plan
- For every x in A: exactly one output.
- Many-to-one: allowed. Missing or distinct multiple outputs: not allowed.
- Range = outputs actually attained.