Determine which of the following equations represent [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]:

1. [tex]\( xy = -8 \)[/tex]
2. [tex]\( 4x^2 + 9y^2 = 36 \)[/tex]
3. [tex]\( 3x^2 - y = 1 \)[/tex]
4. [tex]\( y^2 - x^2 = 4 \)[/tex]



Answer :

To determine which of the given equations represent [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex], we need to see if we can express [tex]\( y \)[/tex] uniquely in terms of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] for each equation.

1. Equation (1): [tex]\( x y = -8 \)[/tex]

We can solve this for [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ xy = -8 \implies y = \frac{-8}{x} \][/tex]

Here, [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is explicitly expressed as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. Therefore, equation (1) represents [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

2. Equation (2): [tex]\( 4 x^2 + 9 y^2 = 36 \)[/tex]

We can attempt to solve this for [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ 4 x^2 + 9 y^2 = 36 \implies 9 y^2 = 36 - 4 x^2 \implies y^2 = \frac{36 - 4 x^2}{9} \implies y = \pm \frac{\sqrt{36 - 4 x^2}}{3} \][/tex]

This yields two solutions for [tex]\( y \)[/tex] (one positive and one negative) for each [tex]\( x \)[/tex] in the respective domain. Consequently, [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is not uniquely determined by [tex]\( x \)[/tex], so equation (2) does not represent [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

3. Equation (3): [tex]\( 3 x^2 - y = 1 \)[/tex]

Solving for [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ 3 x^2 - y = 1 \implies y = 3 x^2 - 1 \][/tex]

Here, [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is explicitly expressed as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. Therefore, equation (3) represents [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

4. Equation (4): [tex]\( y^2 - x^2 = 4 \)[/tex]

We can attempt to solve this for [tex]\( y \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[ y^2 - x^2 = 4 \implies y^2 = x^2 + 4 \implies y = \pm \sqrt{x^2 + 4} \][/tex]

This yields two solutions for [tex]\( y \)[/tex] (one positive and one negative) for each [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. Consequently, [tex]\( y \)[/tex] is not uniquely determined by [tex]\( x \)[/tex], so equation (4) does not represent [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex].

In summary, the equations that represent [tex]\( y \)[/tex] as a function of [tex]\( x \)[/tex] are:
- Equation (1)
- Equation (3)