Fake Functions*

x y = (x+y)², find 5 3

Student: What is this thing?

Me: Don't freak out. The symbol just tells you there is a relationship between x and y and it tells you what it is. You just plug the numbers in.

Student: First there are letters, and then there are symbols? What's next? Sounds?

Me: Like ding dong equals 15?

Student: And dong equals 5

Me: What is ding?

Student: 3!

Me: Nice.

*Knowledge of made up math required to understand this post.