Different types of functions have special rules, which leads to different sets of input values (called domains) and output values (called ranges). Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Linear Functions:

  • These functions can take any number as input.
  • Their output can also be any number.
  • An example is the equation $y = mx + b$.

• Quadratic Functions:

  • These functions also accept any number as input.
  • However, their output has limits.
  • For example, in $y = x^2$, the smallest output is $0$.

• Square Root Functions:

  • These functions only take non-negative numbers (like $0$ or any positive number) as input.
  • Their outputs are also non-negative.
  • A good example is $y = \sqrt{x}$.

So, the way each function is set up decides what numbers you can use for input and what numbers you can get as output!