4G PIECEWISE LINEAR
MODELS
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING:
CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING: SOLUTION
By Hand:
a) Multiply by 2: eqn 3
b) Subtract eqn 3 from :
c) Substitute into :
AREA OF STUDY 4
Functions, relations and graphs
Linear functions, graphs, equations and models
Key knowledge
• situations that can be modelled by piecewise linear graphs
Key skills
• use piecewise linear graphs to model and analyse practical situations
4G Piecewise Linear Models
Learnin
g Understand piecewise linear (line segment, step) graphs and their application to modelling
Intenti practical situations, including tax scales and charges and payment.
- classify and interpret piecewise graphs.
on
can: - construct piecewise graphs.
Succes I
-
s
Criteria apply piecewise graphs to financial situations.
PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• Linear functions can help to model various situations.
• They are limited, however, in that the rate of change remains constant as
the explanatory variable changes in value.
• Piecewise linear models allow for multiple linear functions to be
combined to model one situation.
• This has many applications, from distance and time models to financial
models.
CLASSIFYING AND INTERPRETING PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• A piecewise linear graph is a graph made up of two or more linear
equations.
• Each segment of a piecewise linear function will have a domain, with any
endpoints marked by a circle.
o An open circle means the point is not
included in the line.
o A closed circle means the point is
included.
o Each point of the function is only included
once in the domain.
TYPES OF PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• There are two main types of piecewise linear graphs.
• A line segment graph connects
segments across different domains
where the variable on the vertical axis
can change in value.
• If there is an overlap of open and closed
circles between the start and end of two
line segments, then the closed circle
takes precedence, and the point is
included in the graph.
TYPES OF PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• A step graph has segments across
different domains where the
variable on the vertical axis is
constant for each segment.
o Each segment is horizontal.
• While each segment starts where
the previous one finishes, they
never connect.
INTERPRETING PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• To gather information from a piecewise linear graph, it is important to
know how to interpret different elements of the graph, as line segment
and step graphs can be used to represent a range of different
situations.
• A line segment can be used to model the change in one variable
against another, such as distance and time.
• Step graphs can be used to model applications involving conditional
figures.
YOUR TURN – Classifying piecewise graphs
Explain your
answer!
YOUR TURN – Classifying piecewise graphs SOLUTION
Explain your
answer!
WORKED EXAMPLE 1 – Interpreting line segment graphs
YOUR TURN – Interpreting line segment graphs
YOUR TURN – Interpreting line segment graphs SOLUTION
WORKED EXAMPLE 2 – Interpreting line segment graphs
WORKED EXAMPLE 3a – Interpreting step graphs
WORKED EXAMPLE 3b – Interpreting step graphs
YOUR TURN – Interpreting step graphs
YOUR TURN – Interpreting step graphs SOLUTION
CONSTRUCTING PIECEWISE GRAPHS
• The function for a piecewise linear graph is expressed by listing the function of each
line segment, followed by its domain.
• A piecewise linear function can be graphed by drawing the line of each linear function
according to its domain.
• The following example shows a piecewise
linear function and its associated graph:
The symbol ≤ indicates that point would be
included on the graph (closed circle).
The symbol < indicates the point would be
excluded on the graph (open circle).
WORKED EXAMPLE 4a – Constructing piecewise graphs
LINE
SEGME
NT
GRAPH
WORKED EXAMPLE 4a – Constructing piecewise graphs CONTINUED….
WORKED EXAMPLE 4b – Constructing piecewise graphs STEP
GRAPH
APPLYING PIECEWISE GRAPHS TO FINANCIAL SITUATIONS
• A unique application of piecewise linear graphs is their common use in
modelling different financial situations, such as:
o tax scales
o account balance of a store at the end of each day throughout a week
o payment structures or schedules
WORKED EXAMPLE 5 – Applying piecewise graphs to financial situations
YOUR TURN – Applying piecewise graphs to financial situations
YOUR TURN – Applying piecewise graphs to financial situations
SOLUTION
ALL STUDENTS TO COMPLETE and CORRECT the
following questions in their workbook.
Include the date, heading (EX 1A) and question
numbers (e.g. 1a.)
Edrolo Textbook 4G
Q 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6a,c, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14
Check your answers using Edrolo online or
the textbook
REFLECTION
1. COPY each Success Criteria (S.C) into
your workbook under the heading
'Reflection’.
2. GIVE yourself a rating from 1 to 5 next
to each S.C using the chart to the right
3. WRITE down one skill you would like
more practice with.
