Name:__________________________________________

Per:____
P1 CW #5: 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:
b) Find f(-0.2)
-0.2 < 0, so use the rule _________:

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

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) =

x+3

,x

<1
-x2 +2, x >

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
12:30A 1AM
2AM
M
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
t 5
after midnight. Since the rate changes at
, we need two different rules: one for
t 5
t 5
and one for
. 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.