Yes it can.
A function is a mapping from one set (of numbers) to another. As long as each input gets mapped to only one output (e.g. the mapping doesn’t take the input 3 and map it to both 9 and 27) the mapping can be considered a function.
A function is like a computer program. It’s been programmed to do the same thing to every input it gets. We give it an input the function takes that input does something to it and returns an output. If we give it that same input again we should get the same output again.
For example a function ##y## may be defined as the square of its input. We could write this function as ##y=x^2##. Then when we give it an input like 3 the function takes that input squares it and returns 9. If we give it 3 again it does the same thing returning 9 again.
On the other hand if we had a mapping like ##y = +-sqrt x## then ##y## takes in any input (like 4) finds the square root of this (2) then maps 4 to both ##+2## and ##-2##. This is not a function because for every (positive) input we get two outputs. A function requires give one thing get one thing.
Let’s say we now have a mapping that takes whatever input we give it and maps it to 6written as ##y=6##. Is this still a function? Yes it is because for each input (like 3) the computer program takes the input disregards it and just returns 6. If we give it 3 again we’re still guaranteed to get 6 and only 6.
When you graph a mapping the easiest way to tell if it’s a function is to do the . If there’s ever a vertical line that passes through the graph twice the mapping is not a function. Otherwise it is. The graph of ##y=6## passes this test:
graph{0x+6 [-11.25 11.245 -1.99 9.26]}
Whereas ##y=+-sqrt x## does not:
graph{x=y^2 [-7.55 14.945 -5.5 5.75]}