Topic 8

Piecewise-Defined Functions
Absolute Value Functions

GENMATH
Chemical Engineering Department
Dr. Susan A. Roces
1T, AY 2024 - 2025
 Piecewise Defined Functions
ØIn preparation for the definition of the
absolute value function, it is extremely
important to have a good grasp of the
concept of a piecewise defined function.
Definition:
A piecewise function is a function defined by two
or more equations.
ØEach “piece” of the function applies to a
different part of its domain.
 Piecewise Defined Functions
Ø Also called as hybrid function.
Ø Defined by multiple sub-functions, each applying a
certain sub-domain of the main function.

Common examples are:

ü Step
ü Piecewise Linear
ü Broken power law
ü Spline
 Piecewise Defined Functions
Step Function
• Also called staircase
function

• A piecewise
constant function
having many finite
pieces
 Piecewise Defined Functions
Piecewise linear
• Comprises of
straight-line sections

⎧ −x − 3, x ≤ −3
⎪
⎪ x + 3, −3 < x < 0
f ( x) = ⎨
⎪ −2x + 3, 0 ≤ x < 3
⎪ 12 ( x − 9 ), x≥3
⎩
 Piecewise Defined Functions
Spline Functions
• Consists of polynomial
pieces joined together

⎧ 2
⎪⎪ x , x<0
f ( x ) = ⎨ −x 2 , 0 < x <1
⎪ 1− 2x, x >1
⎪⎩
 Evaluating Piecewise Functions
To evaluate a piecewise function, identify or figure out
which piece applies to the given value of
Consider the function
⎧ 3x − 1, -3 1 3
⎪
f ( x ) = ⎨ 2,
x ≤ −3
−3 < x < 1
•
⎪ −3x,
⎪⎩ x ≥3
•
Evaluate the following:
1. f (0) = 2 3. f (−5) = 3(−5) −1 = −16
2. f (1) = 2 4. f (10) = −3(10) = −30
 Evaluating Piecewise Functions
Evaluate the following:

⎛ −1 ⎞ ⎛1⎞
1. f ⎜ ⎟ 4. f ⎜ ⎟
⎝2⎠ ⎝ 10 ⎠
2. f (−3) 5. f (−2 )
3. f ( 2.5) 6. f (−15)
 Domain of a Piecewise Function
Ø To determine the domain of a piecewise function is
simply to inspect where the given pieces are defined.
Determine the domain of each piecewise function:
⎧ x − 2, x ≤ −1 Domain:
1. f ( x ) = ⎨ 2
⎩ x − 2, x > −1 Set of real numbers
Note:
The function x – 2 is defined for all x less that or equal to - 1
The function x2 – 2 is defined for all x greater than – 1.
Therefore: It means that the function is defined for
all possible values of x.
 Domain of a Piecewise Function
⎧ 1, x < −1
⎪ 2
2. f ( x ) = ⎨ x −1, −1 < x ≤ 2
⎪ 4, x>3
⎩

−1
•2 3
Domain: Interval Notation
(−∞, −1) U (−1, 2] U (3, ∞)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
In graphing a piecewise function, we can follow the
following steps:
1. Evaluate the endpoint(s) of function

2. Plot a few more points to give the shape

3. Repeat for each piece

 Graphing Piecewise Functions
Graph the following piecewise functions and identify its
domain and range:
⎧−2, x<0
1. f ( x ) = ⎨
⎩ x +1, x≥0
Solution:
( - ∞, 0) [0, ∞)
y=-2 y= x + 1

Endpoint when x = 0, y = -2 Endpoint when x = 0,

Ø hole, P(0, -2) y=0+1=1
Ø Graph is a horizontal line. Ø P(0, 1) is included
y = -2 Ø Additional points:
when x = 5, y = 6, P(5, 6)
when x = 10, y = 11, P(10, 11)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
⎧−2, x<0
f ( x) = ⎨
⎩ x +1, x≥0

Domain:
(−∞, ∞)

Range:

[−2] U [1, ∞)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
⎧ − x −1, x < −2
⎪
2. f ( x ) = ⎨ x +1, − 2 < x <1
⎪ − x +1, x ≥1
⎩
Solution: ( - ∞, -2) (- 2, 1) [1, ∞)
y=-x-1 y=x+1 y=-x+1

Endpoint when, Endpoints when: Endpoint

x = -2, y = 1 x = -2, y = - 1 x = 1, y = 0
P(-2, 1) P(-2, -1) P(1, 0)
Ø Hole Ø Hole Ø Included
Additional Points: x = 1, y = 2 Additional Points:
x = -20, y = 19, P(1, 2) x = 10, y = - 9,
P(-20, 19) Ø Hole P(10, - 9)
x = -10, y = 9 No need for x = 100, y = - 99
P(-10, 9) additional points. P(100, - 99)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
⎧ − x −1, x < −2
⎪
f ( x ) = ⎨ x +1, − 2 < x <1
⎪ − x +1, x ≥1
⎩
Domain:
(−∞, − 2)U (−2,∞)

Range:
(−∞, ∞)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
⎧ − 2x − 3, x≤0
⎪
3. f ( x ) = ⎨ 4, 0<x≤2
⎪ 2
⎩ x −1, x>2

Solution: ( - ∞, 0] (0, 2] (2, ∞)

y = - 2x - 3 y=4 y = x2 - 1

Endpoint when, Endpoints when: Endpoint

x = 0, y = - 3 x = 0, y = 4 x = 2, y = 3
P(0, - 3) P(0, 4) P(2, 3)
Ø Included Ø Hole Ø Hole
Additional Points: x = 2, y = 4 Additional Points:
x = - 1, y = - 1, P(2, 4) x = 5, y = 24,
P(-1, -1) Ø Included P(10, - 9)
x = - 5, y = 7 No need for x = 10, y = 99
P(-5, 7) additional points. P(10, 99)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
⎧ − 2x − 3, x≤0
⎪
f ( x ) = ⎨ 4, 0<x≤2
⎪ 2
⎩ x −1, x>2

Domain:
(−∞, ∞)
Range:
[−3, ∞)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

Write equations for the piecewise functions:

1. y =1
(0, 0)

y = −1

Answer: ⎧− 1 x < 0 ⎫
⎪ ⎪
f (x ) = ⎨ 0 x = 0⎬
⎪ 1 x > 0⎪
⎩ ⎭
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
2.
y =1

(−0.5, 0.5) (0.5, −0.5)

y=0 y=0

⎧ 0, x < −0.5
Final Answer: ⎪
⎪⎪ 0.5, x = −0.5
f ( x ) = ⎨ 1, − 0.5 < x < 0.5
⎪0.5, x = 0.5
⎪
⎪⎩0, x > 0.5
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

3. L3 : D(0, 3):
(0, 3)
(−5, 2) L
1
P1 (0, 3) and P2 (3, −3)
L2 L3
−3 0 3
L4 (5, −2) L4 : D(3, ∞):

(3, −3) P1 (3, − 3) and P2 (5, −2)

Solution:
L1 : D(−∞, − 3): P1 (−5, 2) and P2 (−3, 0)
L2 : D(−3, 0): P1 (−3, 0) and P2 (0, 3)
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

Equation of the line 1: P1 (−5, 2) and P2 (−3, 0)

y2 − y1
y − y1 = (x − x1 )
x2 − x1
0−2
y−2 = (x − 5)
−3+ 5
−2
y − 2 = (x + 5)
2
y − 2 = −x − 5
y = −x − 5 + 2 → y = −x − 3
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

Equation of the line 2: P1 (−3, 0) and P2 (0, 3)

3− 0
y−0 = (x + 3)
0+3
3
y − 0 = (x + 3)
3
y−0 = x+3
y = −x + 3
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

Equation of the line 3: P1 (0, 3) and P2 (3, −3)

−3− 3
y−3= (x − 0)
3− 0
−6
y − 3 = (x − 0)
3
y − 3 = −2x
y = −2x + 3
 Graphing Piecewise Functions

Equation of the line 4: P1 (3, − 3) and P2 (5, −2)

−2 + 3
y+3= (x − 3)
5−3
1
y + 3 = (x − 3)
2
1 3
y = x − −3
2 2
1 −3− 6 1 9
y= x+ → y= x−
2 2 2 2
 Graphing Piecewise Functions
1 9
y= x−
2 2
1
y = ( x − 9)
2
Final Answer:
⎧ − x −3 x ≤ −3 ⎫
⎪ x+3 − 3 < x < 0⎪⎪
⎪
f (x ) = ⎨ ⎬
⎪ − 2 x + 3 0 ≤ x < 3 ⎪
⎪⎩ 12 (x − 9) x ≥ 3 ⎪⎭
 The Absolute Value Function
An absolute value function is a function that contains an
absolute value expression.
Ø The x can be written as a piecewise function
⎧ x, if x > 0
⎪
x = ⎨ 0, if x = 0
⎪ − x, if x < 0
⎩
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: [0, ∞)
x=0
Symmetrical at x = 0
 Graphing Absolute Value Functions
The graph of y = a x − h + k has the following
characteristics:
Ø The graph has a vertex at (h, k) and is symmetric in
the line x = h.
Ø The graph is V-shaped. It opens up if a > 0 and
down if a < 0.
Ø The graph is wider than the graph of y = x
if a < 1.
Ø The graph is narrower than the graph of y = x
if a >1.
Illustrative Examples: Graphing Absolute Value Functions

Graph the following absolute value functions and

determine its domain and range:
1. y = x + 2 ← y = a x−h +k
h = −2, k = 0,
a = 1, a > 0
Vertex : (−2, 0)
Opening Upward
Symmetrical at x = −2
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: [0, ∞)
x = −2
 Illustrative Examples: Graphing Absolute Value Functions

2. y = − x + 2 + 3 ← y = a x−h +k
h = −2, k = 3,
a = −1, a < 0
Vertex : (−2, 3)
Opening Downward
Symmetrical at x = −2
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: (−∞, 3] x = −2
 Illustrative Examples: Graphing Absolute Value Functions

3. y = 2 x − 3 + 5 ← y = a x−h +k
h = 3, k = 5,
a = 2, a > 0
Vertex : (3, 5)
Opening Upward
Symmetrical at x = 3
Domain: (−∞, ∞)
Range: [5,∞) x=3
Practice Numbers_Piecewise Functions and Absolute Value Functions

Sketch the graph of the following piecewise functions.

Determine the domain and range. Show and indicate
pertinent details.

⎧ 2 + x, x ≤ −1
1. f ( x ) = ⎨ 2
⎩x, x > −1
⎧ 2x − 4
⎪ 2 , x<4
2. f ( x ) = ⎨ x − 4
⎪⎩ x − 5, x≥4
Practice numbers_iecewise Functions and Absolute Value Functions

1
3. y = x −1 + 3
2
4. y = −3 x +1 − 2
 Homework 8_Piecewise Functions and Absolute Value Functions

Sketch the graph of the following piecewise functions.

Determine the domain and range. Show and indicate
pertinent details.
⎧ 1, x ≤ −1
⎪ 2
1. f ( x ) = ⎨ x , −1 ≤ x ≤ 2
⎪ 4, x>2
⎩
2. y = −2 x − 5
2
3. y = 4 − x −
3
Homework 8_Piecewise Functions and Absolute Value Functions

Write the equation for the piecewise functions.

Determine the domain and range. Show and indicate
pertinent details.

1. 3. 5.

2. 4. 6.
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