How can the use of functions improve the readability and maintainability of PHP code like the one provided in the forum thread?

Using functions can improve the readability and maintainability of PHP code by breaking down the code into smaller, more manageable chunks. This makes it easier to understand the logic of the program and allows for easier debugging and updating in the future.

function calculateTotal($price, $quantity) {
    return $price * $quantity;
}

$price = 10;
$quantity = 5;
$total = calculateTotal($price, $quantity);

echo "Total: $" . $total;