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Piecewise Functions & Step Functions

The document provides examples and explanations of piecewise functions and step functions. It defines piecewise functions as functions where different equations are needed to describe different parts of the domain. It then gives 8 examples of piecewise functions, explaining how to find their domains and ranges and graph them. It also defines step functions as functions that look like a set of stairs, are discrete rather than continuous, and have closed and open endpoints between steps. It provides an example of a step function modeling a tiered pricing structure for t-shirt orders.

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Reteshkumarverma
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523 views

Piecewise Functions & Step Functions

The document provides examples and explanations of piecewise functions and step functions. It defines piecewise functions as functions where different equations are needed to describe different parts of the domain. It then gives 8 examples of piecewise functions, explaining how to find their domains and ranges and graph them. It also defines step functions as functions that look like a set of stairs, are discrete rather than continuous, and have closed and open endpoints between steps. It provides an example of a step function modeling a tiered pricing structure for t-shirt orders.

Uploaded by

Reteshkumarverma
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Grade Level: HG1

Course: Pre calculus

Branch: Functions

Topic: Piecewise Functions & Step Functions

Piecewise Functions

Consider the function f(x) graphed below. To describe this function, different
equations are needed for different parts of the domain of f. Therefore f is said to
be piecewise defined.

When x is less than 5, f(x) is linear with slope -2 and y-intercept 2. So,
f(x) = -2x + 2 whenever x is less than 5.

When x is greater than or equal to 5, f(x) = 3.

f(x) is defined for all real numbers, so the domain of this function is all real
numbers.
f(x) can never be less than or equal to -3, so the range of this function is all real
numbers greater than -3.
Example 1:
f( x ) = - x if x ≤ 2
= x if x > 2
Solution
In the above function, x ≤ 2, the formula for the function is f( x ) = -x and , if x >
2 the formula is f( x ) = x. The domain of function f defined above is the set of all
the real numbers since f is defined everywhere for all real numbers.

Example 2:
f( x ) = 2 if x > -3
= -5 if x < -3
Solution
The above function is constant and equal to 2, if x>-3 .
Function f is also constant and equal to -5 if x<-3.
It can be said that function f is piecewise constant. The domain of f given above
is the set of all real numbers except -3.
If x = -3 function f is undefined.

Example 3:
Problem involving absolute value: f( x ) = | x + 6 |
Solution:
The above function may be written as
f( x ) = x + 6 if x ≥ -6
= - (x + 6) if x < -6
The above function is defined for all real numbers

Example 4:
Problem involving more than two intervals.
f( x ) = x 2 - 3 if x ≤ -10
= - 2x + 1 if -10 < x ≤ -2
3
= -x if 2 < x < 4
= ln x if x > 4
Solution:
The above function is defined for all real numbers except for values of x in the
interval (-2, 2] and x = 4.
Example 5:
f is a function defined by
f( x ) = x2 + 1 if x < 2
=-x+3 if x ≥ 2
Find the domain and range of function f and graph it.
Solution:
The domain of f is the set of all real numbers since function f is defined for all
real values of x.

In the interval (- ∞ , 2) the graph of f is a parabola shifted up 1 unit. Also this


interval is open at x = 2 and therefore the graph shows an "open point" on the
graph at x = 2.

In the interval [2, + ∞ ) the graph is a line with an x intercept at (3, 0) and passes
through the point (2, 1). The interval [2, + ∞ ) is closed at x = 2 and the graph
shows a "closed point". From the graph, we can observe that function f can take
all real values. The range is given by (- ∞ , + ∞ ).

Example 6:
1
f( x ) = if x < 0
x
= e -x if x ≥ 0
Find the domain and range of function f and graph it.
Solution:
The domain of f is the set of all real numbers since function f is defined for all
real values of x.
In the interval (- ∞ ,0) the graph of ‘f’ is a hyperbola with vertical asymptote at x
= 0.
In the interval [0, + ∞ ) the graph is a decreasing exponential and passes through
the point (0, 1). The interval [0,+ ∞ ) is closed at x = 0 and the graph shows a
"closed point".
1
As x becomes very small, approaches zero. As x becomes very large, e -x also
x
approaches zero.

From the graph of f shown below, we can observe that function f can take all real
values on (- ∞ , 0) U (0, 1] which is the range of function f.

Example 7:
Graph of the Piecewise Function y = -x + 3 on the interval [-3, 0]
and y = 3x + 1 on the interval [0, 3]
Example 8:
Graph of the piecewise function y = 2x + 3 on the interval (-3, 1)
and y = 5 on the interval (1, 5)

Step function graphs

F(x) = [ x ]

The graphs look like a set of stairs, called step functions. These functions are
discrete, or not continuous.

Notice the endpoints in each step. Since these graphs are functions, there must
exist only one dependent-value (y) for every independent-integer (x). Therefore,
one endpoint of a step is included (or closed) in the step with a black dot, and the
other endpoint of the step is not included in the step (or open).
Example 1
A wholesale t-shirt manufacturer charges the following prices for t-shirt orders:
$20 per shirt for shirt orders up to 20 shirts.
$15 per shirt for shirt between 21 and 40 shirts.
$10 per shirt for shirt orders between 41 and 80 shirts.
$5 per shirt for shirt orders over 80 shirts.

Sketch a graph of this discontinuous function.


You've ordered 40 shirts and must pay shipping fees of $10. How much is your
total order?

Solution:

If I ordered 40 shirts and must pay $10 in shipping fees, then my total order will
cost $610. (40 * $15) +10 = 610.
QUIZ
1.

2. What is the domain of the above graph g(x)


A) (- ∞ , 0]
B) (- ∞ , ∞ )
C) No real Domain
D) None of the above

3. Given
g (x) = 3x + 1 for x < 0
= 1 for 0 ≤ x ≤ 5
= x+2 for x > 5
Find the value of g(-2)
A) -5
B) 7
C) 1
D) 0

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