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p1 cw6 Piecewise Functions

This document provides examples and instructions for evaluating piecewise functions by substituting values into the appropriate rule based on the piece of the domain that includes the given x-value. It also discusses graphing piecewise functions by graphing each piece separately and combining the graphs, and provides an example of modeling a real-world scenario with a piecewise function.

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456 views

p1 cw6 Piecewise Functions

This document provides examples and instructions for evaluating piecewise functions by substituting values into the appropriate rule based on the piece of the domain that includes the given x-value. It also discusses graphing piecewise functions by graphing each piece separately and combining the graphs, and provides an example of modeling a real-world scenario with a piecewise function.

Uploaded by

api-268267969
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Name:__________________________________________

Per:____
P1 CW #6: Piecewise Functions
Evaluating Piecewise Functions

Date:_________

To evaluate a piecewise function for a given value of x, substitute the value of x into the rule for the part of the domain
that includes x.
1. Evaluate the following for
a) Find f(-3)

-3 < 0, so use the rule f(x) = -x:

f(-3) = -(-3) = _______

b) Find f(-0.2)

-0.2 < 0, so use the rule _________:

f(-0.2) = ________=________

c) Find f(0)

0 > 0, so use the rule ____________:

f(0) = __________ = _______

d) Find f(2)

2 > 0, so use the rule ____________:

f(2) = __________ = _______

2. REFLECT: Why should the parts of the domain of a piecewise function f(x) have no common x-values?
3. GRAPHING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS: Graph the two functions from above separately in the first two grids below.
f(x) = -x
f(x) = x + 1

4. Now, in the first graph you created, erase the graph for all x that are not in the domain of x<0. Erase the second
graph for all x that are not in the domain of x>0. Be sure to mark open or closed points where appropriate.
5. In the third grid, combine the two pieces of the graphs above to graph the original piecewise function.

6. Practice Graphing Piecewise Functions: Graph each piecewise function in the space below. Use the
erasing method if necessary.
f(x) =

+ 3, x < 1
-x2 +2, x > 1

7.

Application: Let us look at an application of a piecewise function.

Lisa makes $4/hr baby-sitting before midnight and $6/hr after midnight. She begins her job at 7 PM.
a. Complete the table below for the total amount of money Lisa makes.
Time
8 PM
9 PM
10 PM
11:30
12:00
12:30AM 1AM
2AM
Hours
2
3
5
5.5
6
Sitting
Amount
$4
Earned
b. If we want to fill out the entries after midnight in the table above, we need to realize that the function
is piecewise; that is, Lisa is paid at two different rates, one for the time she baby-sits before midnight,
and another for the time she babysits after midnight. Since the rate changes at t 5 , we need two
different rules: one for t 5 and one for t 5 . Find the two different functions that would define how
much money Lisa makes with respect to the number of hours she baby-sits. Express the function as a
piecewise function using the notation shown in the previous problem. Use the notation shown below
to get started.

Determining Functions from Graphs


8. Write the function for each graph shown below.
a.

b.

c.

d.

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