When b is 49, a is 7, and a is a function of b.

Question

It has to do with algebra 1 and is reasoning. 

Answer 1

"a is a function of b"    means    a = f(b)

 

"When b is 49, a is 7"    means   7 = f(49)

 

Since you have only one point [ that is (49,7) ], you may choose any function that takes 49 as input and produces 7 as output  [there are an infinite number of them].

 

I like:    7 = SQRT(49)

Answer 2

When it says "a is a function of b" it is like saying a is dependent on what b is.  Often, in textbooks, you will see it stated as y is a function of x, or in this notation y(x).  

 

For "a is a function of b" think of b as the input and a as the output.  

So for your problem, if you are given 49 what operation would you need to do to it, to yield an output of 49?

 

If there is no other guidance or instructions given for this problem, it sounds like there could be more than one way to answer the question.