Piecewise Functions

By: Kate Albertini, Katie Fairman, and Anne Kaufmann

What is a Piecewise Function?
A piecewise function is an equation with multiple parts in which each part matches up with a different part of the domain.

How to Graph a Piecewise Function
Write all of the equations of the piecewise functions in y = mx + b form
Look at your first equation and its domain. Graph your first equation over that domain.
Put a closed circle on the beginning or ending points if that point is included in the domain (greater than or equal to, less than or equal to). If the point is not included in the domain, use an open circle (less than or greater than).
Repeat for the other equations of the function.

An Example The solid part of each line represents the part of the line defined by the piecewise function. The dotted part of the line shows the rest of the line which is not included in the piecewise function.

Step Function
A step function is a specific kind of piecewise function in which the different parts of the equation look like steps when graphed.
All rules for piecewise functions still apply.

An Example

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Piecewise Functions

by ktini on Feb 28, 2009

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Piecewise Functions — Presentation Transcript