Definition: Piecewise Functions

A piecewise function is a function made up of multiple other functions where each “piece” is defined on its own domain.

ℎ(𝑥) 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛1
Example of Piecewise notation with 3 pieces: 𝑓 𝑥 = ൞ 𝑖(𝑥) 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛2
𝑗 𝑥 𝑥 ∈ 𝐷𝑜𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛3

Since functions can end and start abruptly, we recall that we use closed circles to indicate that we reach that point ( ) and
open circles to indicate we reach close to that point, but never reach that actual point ( ).

Example 1:
Rewrite the absolute value function as a piecewise function.

Solution:
Since our absolute value function is a line with slope one on the right side of zero, and a line with slope -1 on the left side of zero
(and both sides have the same y-int of 0) we can rewrite the function as:

𝑥 𝑥≥0
𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥 𝑥<0
 Examples: Piecewise Functions
Example 2:
Graph the following piecewise function:

𝑥+2 𝑥>1
𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ𝑥 2 − 3 −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
0 𝑥 < −1

Solution:
To graph the function, it helps to graph each function
separately, then erase the part of the domain that is
unneeded.
 Examples: Piecewise Functions
Example 2 Continued:
Graph the following piecewise function:

𝑥+2 𝑥>1
𝑓 𝑥 = ቐ𝑥 2 − 3 −1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
0 𝑥 < −1

Solution:
Finally we make sure to plot the correct endpoints.
 Examples: Piecewise Functions
Example 3:
Determine the equation of the graph given to the right:

Solution:
First Piece: We see that the first function is an exponential function
with base of 2 (as it doubles as it goes to the right). This gives us 2𝑥

Second Piece: We see that at 𝑥 = 4 it changes to a linear function.

It has a slope of 1 and (if we extend the line) we see it has a 𝑦 −int
of 2. This gives us 𝑥 + 2.

Third Piece: A single point at (4,0)

Last Piece: A negative quadratic (as it opens down) shifted

left 4 and up 8. We note that we can find the 𝑎 value by solving:
7=𝑎 5−4 2+8 → −1 = 𝑎.
This gives us the quadratic − 𝑥 − 4 2 + 8

Putting all pieces together gives us our piecewise function:

2𝑥 𝑥≤2
𝑥+2 2<𝑥<4
𝑓 𝑥 = 0 𝑥=4
2
− 𝑥−4 +8 𝑥>4
 Strategy: Removing Absolute Values From Functions
How To Use it: When To Use it: Why this works?
1) Use the fact that: When you want to convert The definition of an absolute value
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0 absolute value functions in to function is |□| is □ when the value
|𝑓 𝑥 | = ቊ piecewise functions (this will help is positive and (since multiplying
−𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓 𝑥 < 0
2) Isolate the 𝑥 in the domains (note that this may with limits that will be seen in negatives by −1 gives a positive)
require you to solve a polynomial inequality). the future). − □ when □ is negative.
Example 4:
Convert the following to a piecewise function:𝑓 𝑥 = |6 + 2𝑥|

Solution:
6 + 2𝑥 6 + 2𝑥 ≥ 0
6 + 2𝑥 = ቊ
−(6 + 2𝑥) 6 + 2𝑥 < 0

We then solve the inequality: 6 + 2𝑥 ≥0

6 ≥ −2𝑥
−3 ≤𝑥 (dividing by negatives swaps the inequality)

Solving the other inequality is identical except all of the signs are pointing in the opposite direction. This gives us our piecewise
function:
6 + 2𝑥 𝑥 ≥ −3
6 + 2𝑥 = ቊ
−6 − 2𝑥 𝑥 < −3
 Examples: Removing Absolute Values
Example 5:
1
Convert the following to a piecewise function: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 +𝑥−6
Solution:
1
1 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 ≥ 0
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
= 1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 < 0
−(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6)
We then solve the inequality:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 ≥ 0
𝑥+3 𝑥−2 ≥0

Thus our zeroes are 𝑥 = −3, 2. We can now create our interval table:
−∞ −3 2 ∞
Factors −4 0 3
𝑥+3 − + +
𝑥−2 − − +
Product + − +
Thus we have our expression > 0 on the interval (−∞, −3) ∪ (2, ∞). The expression is < 0 on the interval (−3,2)
We note that we cannot have 𝑥 = −3 or 𝑥 = 2 as they will produce a division by zero.
1/𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6 𝑥 ∈ (−∞, −3) ∪ (2, ∞)
∴𝑓 𝑥 =൝
1/−(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6) 𝑥 ∈ (−3,2)
 Strategy: Removing Absolute values from linear inequalities
How To Use it: When To Use it: Why this works?
If we are given 𝑏 is some positive number, then: When you want From the definition of absolute value, we can only have
1) If we are given □ < 𝑏 we can change this to convert □ < 𝑏 when the values of □ are stuck between −𝑏 and
to the form : absolute value 𝑏.
−𝑏 < □ < 𝑏 inequalities to
2) If we are given □ > 𝑏 we can change this intervals. Any other number will force □ ≥ 𝑏, which means if we
to the form: want to solve this inequality, it would be the other cases
□ > 𝑏 or □ < −𝑏 of either □ ≥ 𝑏 or □ ≤ −𝑏
Example 6:
Determine an interval such that 𝑥 − 2 < 7 and 𝑥 ≥ 3.

Solution:
We first remove the absolute value in the inequality: □ < 𝑏 → −𝑏 < □ < 𝑏
→ −7 < □ < 7
→ −7 < 𝑥 − 2 < 7
→ −5 < 𝑥 < 9 (add 2 to the inequalities to isolate 𝑥)
Since we also require 𝑥 ≥ 3, it will help to draw a number line to find our interval(s):
−∞ -5 3 9 ∞
|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------| −5 < 𝑥 < 9
|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------| 𝑥 ≥ 3
Exclude Include Exclude
Since we need to be in both intervals, this gives us that 𝑥 ∈ 3,9
 Strategy: Removing Absolute values from linear inequalities
Example 7:
Solve the inequality 3|2 − 3𝑥| − 1 ≤ 8

Solution:
3|2 − 3𝑥| − 1 ≤ 8

3|2 − 3𝑥| ≤ 9

|2 − 3𝑥| ≤ 3

This if of the form □ ≤ 𝑏, we set up the inequality −𝑏 ≤ □ ≤ 𝑏:

−3 ≤ 2 − 3𝑥 ≤ 3

−5 ≤ −3𝑥 ≤ 1

5 1
3
≥ 𝑥 ≥ −3

1 5
Thus our solution would be 𝑥 ∈ − 3 , 3 .
 Strategy: Removing Absolute values from linear inequalities
Example 8:
Solve the inequality −|2𝑥 − 4| < −8

Solution:
−|2𝑥 − 4| < −8

2𝑥 − 4 > 8

This if of the form □ > 𝑏, so we get the following two inequalities:

□>𝑏 □ < −𝑏
2𝑥 − 4 > 8 2𝑥 − 4 < −8

2𝑥 > 12 2𝑥 < −4

𝑥>6 𝑥 < −2

Thus our solution would be 𝑥 ∈ −∞, −2 ∪ 6, ∞ .