Piecewise

Function
Things to Remember
Function
A function is a map or a rule which assigns
to each element x of a set A exactly one
element called f(x) in a set B.
Representing a function
Functions can be represented through:
1. Verbal description
2. An algebraic representation in the form of
formula for f(x) (possibly single formula)
3. An equation of the form y = f(x), which can be
graphed on the Cartesian Plane
4. An arrow diagram or a table (especially if we
have a finite number of points in the domain)
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HELLO STUDENTS!
This lesson is mainly concerned with finding the
domains of piecewise functions and coming up with
the graphs of the given piecewise function.

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1
Piecewise Function
What it is?

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“ A function has been represented by a
single equation, but in many real-life
problems, however are represented
by a combination of equation, each
corresponding to a part of the
domain. Such functions are called
piecewise functions.

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LEARNING COMPETENCIES

At the end of the lesson, you are expected

to:
▰ define piecewise function;
▰ evaluate piecewise function; and
▰ graph a piecewise function.

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BIG
CONCEPT
Mathematically, how do we define a
piecewise function?

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PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Piecewise function or Compound function is

a function defined by multiple sub-functions,
where each sub-functions applies a certain
interval of the main function’s domain. It is a
function defined by at least two equations
(“pieces”), each of which applies to a
different part of the domain.

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PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

For example, the piecewise function given

by,
2𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 1
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
3𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1
is defined by two equations. One equation
gives the values of 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑥 is less than
or equal to 1, and the other equation gives
the values of 𝑓 𝑥 when 𝑥 is greater than 1.
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EVALUATING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Example 1: Evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑎 𝑥 = 0,

𝑏 𝑥 = 2, and 𝑐 𝑥 = 4.

𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
2𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2

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EVALUATING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Solution 1: 𝑎 𝑥 = 0

𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 2 , because 0 < 2, use the first

equation, then substitute the value of 𝑥.

𝑓 𝑥 =0+2
𝑓 𝑥 =2

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EVALUATING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Solution 2: 𝑏 𝑥 = 2

𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 , because 2 ≥ 2, use the

second equation, then substitute the value of
𝑥.

𝑓 𝑥 =2 2 +1
𝑓 𝑥 =5
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EVALUATING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Solution 3: 𝑐 𝑥 = 4

𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 + 1 , because 4 ≥ 2, use the

second equation, then substitute the value of
𝑥.

𝑓 𝑥 =2 4 +1
𝑓 𝑥 =9
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CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Evaluate the following:

3𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑎 𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 3

Solve for 𝑓 −3 , 𝑓(7), and 𝑓(4)

𝑥 2 − 5, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 6
𝑏 𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
𝑥 − 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 5

Solve for 𝑓(4), 𝑓(8), and 𝑓(5) 14

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −2
𝑐 ℎ 𝑥 = ൞4 − 𝑥 2 , 𝑖𝑓 − 2 < 𝑥 ≤ 2
2 − 𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2

Solve for ℎ(−3), ℎ(0), ℎ(1) and ℎ(4)

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GRAPHING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

Method 1 Method 2
1. Evaluate the endpoint(s) 1. Graph the function
of a function. completely.

2. Plot a few more points to 2. Erase the pieces that

give the shape. don’t belong to the domain.

3. Repeat for each piece. 3. Repeat until all pieces

have been graphed.
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GRAPHING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

𝑓 3
Graph
𝒙 + 𝟐, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 ≥ 𝟐 𝑓 3 =3+2
𝒇 𝒙 =ቊ
𝟐𝒙, 𝒊𝒇 𝒙 < 𝟐 𝑓 3 =5
(3, 5)
𝑓 1 𝑓 2
𝑓 1 = 2(1) 𝑓 2 =2+2
𝑓 1 =2 𝑓 2 =4
(1, 2) (2, 4) 17
GRAPHING PIECEWISE FUNCTIONS

𝒚 – intercepts
𝑥=0
𝑓 0 = 2(0)
𝑓 0 =0
(0, 0)
𝒙 – intercepts
0 = 𝑥 + 2 𝑥 = −2 −2,0
0 = 2𝑥
(0, 0)
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CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Graph the following peicewise functions:

3𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑎 𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 3

𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 2
𝑏 𝑔(𝑥) = ൞4 − 𝑥 2 , 𝑖𝑓 − 2 < 𝑥 ≤ 2
2 − 𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 2
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SUMMARY

Some functions are Each piece of To graph a

represented by two piecewise function piecewise function
or more “pieces”. is defined for a graph each piece of
These functions are specific interval in the function over
called piecewise the domain of the the given interval.
function. function.

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What’s Next?

Do an advance
reading
about Rational
Functions
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