PIECEWISE

FUNCTIONS
HOW ARE ABSOLUTE VALUE
EQUATIONS SIMILAR TO
PIECEWISE FUNCTION?

How do we graph
piecewise
functions?
•Up to now, we’ve been looking at
functions represented by a single
equation.
•In real life, however, functions are
represented by a combination of
equations, each corresponding to a part
of the domain.
•These are called piecewise functions.
PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS
• Again, a piecewise function is a function
with different “rules” that apply to
different portions of the domain.

• To graph the function, simply graph each

rule for the domain in question.

• Sometimes its easier to graph each rule for

all real numbers, then go back and erase
the portion of the domain NOT covered by
the rule.
 2 x  1, if x  1
f  x  
3 x  1, if x  1
•One equation gives the
value of f(x) when x ≤ 1
•And the other when x>1
EVALUATE F(X) WHEN X=0, X=2,
X=4
2 x  1, if x  1
f  x  
3 x  1, if x  1
• First you have to figure out which equation to use.
• You NEVER use both.

X=0 X=2 X=4

So:
This one fits This
So: one fits here So:one fits here
This
0-1=-1
Into the top 3(2) + 1 = 7 3(4) + 1 = 13
equation f(2) = 7
f(0)=-1 f(4) = 13
 GRAPH:
1 3
 x  , if x  1
f  x   2 2
 x  3, if x  1
• For all x’s < 1, use the top graph (to the left of 1)

• For all x’s ≥ 1, use the bottom graph (to the

• right of 1)
 1 3
 x  , if x  1
f  x   2 2
 x  3, if x  1

x=1 is the breaking

point of the graph.

To the left is the top

equation.

To the right is the

bottom equation.
  x  1, if x  2
GRAPH: f  x  
 x  1, if x  2

Point of Discontinuity
Example 1
Graph and identify the domain and range

Step 1 Graph the linear function

for
Since 3 satisfies this
inequality, begin with a
closed circle at (3, 2).
Example 1
Graph and identify the domain and range

Step 2 Graph the constant

function
Since x does
not satisfy this inequality,
begin with an open circle
at (3, –1) and draw a
horizontal ray to the right.
Example 1
Graph and identify the domain and range.

Answer: The function is defined

for all values of x, so the domain
is all real numbers. The values
that are y-coordinates of points
on the graph are all real numbers
less than or equal to 2, so the
range is {y | y 2}.
 Graph and identify the domain and range.

Answer: The domain is all real

numbers. The range
is
OTHER EXAMPLES
 
Graph the function defined as
 OTHER EXAMPLES
 

Graph the function defined as

 OTHER EXAMPLES
 

Graph the function defined as

 OTHER EXAMPLES
A mobile phone company offers the following
plan:
4BD per month buys 60 minutes of call
Additional time costs 40fils per minute per call

a)Represent the total monthly cost ( C) as a

function of the number of calling minutes, t
b)Use the function to interpret each of the
following:
C(30)
C(100)
 SKETCH THE GRAPH
OF THE GIVEN FUNCTION.

1. 1, if 0  x  1
2. 1, if  4  x  3
2, if 1  x  2 2, if  3  x  2
 
f ( x)   f ( x)  
3, if 2  x  3 3, if  2  x  1
4, if 3  x  4 4, if  1  x  0
 1, if 0  x  1
2, if 1  x  2

f ( x)  
3, if 2  x  3
4, if 3  x  4
 1, if  4  x  3
2, if  3  x  2

f ( x)  
3, if  2  x  1
4, if  1  x  0
Step Functions
 Step Functions
• “Step functions” are sometimes used to
describe real-life situations.
• The graph of a step function is not linear – it
consists of horizontal line segments, usually
having a closed circle on one end and an
open circle on the other end.
• The graph generally resembles a series of
steps, hence the name.
 Greatest Integer Function
• One prominent example of a step function is the
greatest integer function.
•This function is written f(x) =  x 
•The symbol  x  represents the greatest integer
LESS THAN or EQUAL to x
•For example,  5.2  = 5,  2.9  = 2, 1 = 1
•Note that integers stay the same, but numbers with a
decimal portion are rounded down.
• -3.4  = - 4
 F(X) = X

• Note that we have an open-circle on the right of

each step, where the function “jumps up” to the
next step.
• Note also that while the domain is all real
numbers, the range is limited to integer values!
 Greatest Integer Function:

y  greatest integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 0
0.75 0
1 1
 Greatest Integer Function:

y  greatest integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 0
0.75 0
1 1
1.5 1
2 2
 Greatest Integer Function:

y  greatest integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 0
0.75 0
1 1
1.5 1
2 2
 Greatest Integer Function:

y  greatest integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 0
0.75 0
1 1
1.5 1
2 2
 Greatest Integer Function:

y  greatest integer that is  x

The greatest integer function is also

called the floor function.

The notation for the floor function

is:
y   x 

This notation was introduced in 1962

by Kenneth E. Iverson.

 Pop Quiz
Sketch the graph of the following functions.
 x if x  1
 x if x  1  3
y y   x if 1  x  3
1.  x if2.x  1  2 if x  3


3.
y  x  x 1
 Least Integer Function:

y  least integer that is  x

The least integer function is also

called the ceiling function. Don’t worry, there are
The notation for the ceiling function NO wall functions, front
is: door functions, fireplace
y   x  functions!


 LEAST INTEGER FUNCTION
• We can also have step functions where you
basically round up the number.

• These are defined as least integer functions –

the function’s output is the least integer that
is GREATER THAN or EQUAL TO THE
INPUT.
• 5.2  = 6
•2.9  = 3
•1 = 1
 Least Integer Function:
Least Integer Function:
y  least integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 1
0.75 1
1 1
 Least Integer Function:
Least Integer Function:
y  least integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 1
0.75 1
1 1
1.5 2
2 2
 Least Integer Function:
Least Integer Function:
y  least integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 1
0.75 1
1 1
1.5 2
2 2
 Least Integer Function:
Least Integer Function:
y  least integer that is  x

x y
0 0
0.5 1
0.75 1
1 1
1.5 2
2 2
Floor Function Ceiling Function
y   x  y   x 
Psychology. One psychologist charges for counseling
sessions at the rate of $85 per hour or any fraction
thereof. Draw a graph that represents this solution.

Explore The total charge must be a multiple of $85, so

the graph will be the graph of a step function.
Plan If the session is greater than 0 hours, but less
than or equal to 1 hour, the cost is $85. If the
time is greater than 1 hour, but less than or
equal to 2 hours, then the cost is $170, and so
on.
Solve Use the pattern of times and costs to make a
table, where x is the number of hours of the
session and C(x) is the total cost. Then draw the
graph.

x C(x)
85
170
255
340
425
Answer:

Examine Since the psychologist rounds any fraction of an

hour up to the next whole number, each segment on
the graph has a circle at the left endpoint and a dot
at the right endpoint.
Sales The Daily Grind charges $1.25 per pound of meat
or any fraction thereof. Draw a graph that represents this
situation.

Answer:
Summary
SPECIAL STEP FUNCTIONS
Two particular kinds of step functions are called ceiling functions
( f (x) =  x  ) and floor functions ( f (x)=  x ).
In a ceiling function, all An example of a ceiling function is
nonintegers are rounded up when a phone service company
to the nearest integer. charges by the number of minutes
used and always rounds up to the
nearest integer of minutes.
In a floor function, all The way we usually count our age is
nonintegers are rounded an example of a floor function since
down to the nearest integer. we round our age down to the
nearest year and do not add a year to
our age until we have passed our
birthday.
IN OTHER WORDS,

• The ceiling function always rounds to the next HIGHER

increment (when you are paying), e.g. anytime you go
somewhere and you have to pay a certain amount of pesos for
every hour or portion of an hour for certain activity like
bowling, internet

• The floor function always rounds to the next LOWER

increment (when they are paying), e.g. postal rates, tax tables
Ceiling Function Floor Function
y   x  y   x 
Ceiling Function Floor Function
  𝒚=⌈ 𝒙 ⌉+𝟏   𝒚=⌊ 𝒙+𝟏 ⌋
Floor Function
 𝒚=⌊ 𝒙 ⌋
 Floor Function
  𝒚=⌊ 𝒙 − 𝟏 ⌋ +𝟏
Shifted 1
unit to the
right
 Floor Function
  𝒚=⌊ 𝒙 − 𝟏 ⌋ +𝟏
Shifted 1
unit up
Floor Function Ceiling Function
y   x  y   x 
Floor Function Ceiling Function
 𝒚=⌊ 𝒙 ⌋+𝟏  𝒚=⌈ 𝒙+𝟏⌉
Exercise A
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

 
1.  
3.

 
2.
 
4.
Exercise B
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

1.
   
3.

 
2.
 
4.
Exercise A
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

1.
  3.
 

 
2.
 
4.
Exercise B
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

1.
   
3.

 
2.  
4.
Exercise C
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

1.
 

 
2.

 
3.
Exercise D
Sketch the graph and
determine the domain and range.

1.
 

 
2.

 
3.
A. Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range.
(2 points for the graph and 1 point for each domain and range, except for #3)

3.
 
1.
 

2.
  4.
 
(Redefine the function is worth 3 points.)
 
B. Mario owned an Internet shop. He usually charges Php14.50 per hour or any fraction
thereof for those who are using Facebook, Twitter, Google, and other social media sites
except games. Customers who would like to play games would be charged an additional
Php1.50 per hour or any fraction thereof. Draw the graphs that represent this solution in
one xy-plane. Then interpret the graph if what kind of function it is and if you agree or
disagree on the separate total costs for gaming and visiting social media sites. Explain
briefly.