Functions Piecewise Functions Lesson 4 Ver2
Functions Piecewise Functions Lesson 4 Ver2
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
OBJECTIVES:
• define piecewise defined functions;
• evaluate piecewise defined functions;
• enumerate some of the common functions that
can be defined as piecewise defined functions
• define absolute value function; and
• define greatest integer function
DEFINITION: PIECEWISE DEFINED FUNCTION
Sometimes a function is defined by more than one
rule or by different formulas. This function is called
a piecewise define function.
A piecewise defined function is defined by different
formulas on different parts of its domain.
Example: if
if x<0 if
if if
EXAMPLE:
A. Evaluate the piecewise function at the
indicated values.
if x<0 f(-2), f(-1), f(0), f(1), f(2)
if
if
if
if
a. b.
c.
2. Define H(x) as a piecewise defined function and
evaluate H(1), H(2), H(3), H(0) and H(-2) given by,
H(x) = x - |x – 2|.
3. For a given outside temperature T and wind speed v, the
Wind Chill Index (WCI) is the equivalent temperature that
exposed skin would feel with a wind speed of 4 mi/hr.
An empirical formula for the WCI based on experience
and observation is