Which of the following statements is consistent with the central idea of business process design?

• A. A function assigns exactly one output to each input in its domain.
• B. A function must have the same output for every input.
• C. A function can assign multiple outputs to a single input.
• D. A function is only defined for positive real numbers.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of a function: A function is a mathematical relationship where each input in the domain is assigned exactly one output in the range. This is a key principle in calculus and is essential for understanding business processes.
2. Analyze the first statement: 'A function assigns exactly one output to each input in its domain.' This aligns with the definition of a function, as it ensures that each input corresponds to a single output.
3. Evaluate the second statement: 'A function must have the same output for every input.' This is incorrect because a function can have different outputs for different inputs, as long as each input has only one output.
4. Evaluate the third statement: 'A function can assign multiple outputs to a single input.' This is incorrect because it violates the definition of a function, which requires that each input corresponds to exactly one output.
5. Evaluate the fourth statement: 'A function is only defined for positive real numbers.' This is incorrect because functions can be defined for various domains, including negative numbers, zero, or even complex numbers, depending on the context.