2-6 Special Functions

1 Piecewise-Defined Functions

• The function relating income and tax is not a linear function because each interval, or
piece, of the function is defined by a different expression.
• A function that is written using two or more expressions is called a piecewise-defined
function.
• On the graph of a piecewise-defined function, a solid dot indicates that the point is
included in the graph.
• A open circle indicates that the point is not included in the graph.
Graphs of Piecewise-Defined Functions

• The graphs of different parts of a piecewise defined function may or may not connect.
• A graph may also stop at a given x-value and then begin at a different y-value for the
same value of x.
2 Step Functions and Absolute Value Functions

Unlike a piecewise-defined function, a piecewise-linear function contains a single

expression.
A common piecewise-linear function is the step function.
The graph of a step function consists of line segments.
Greatest Integer Function
The domain of this step function is all real numbers and the range is all integers.
Greatest integer function

The greatest integer function, written f(x) = , is one kind of step function.
The symbol means the greatest integer less than or equal to x.
For example,
= 3 and = -5.
Absolute value function

Another piecewise-linear function is the absolute value function.

An absolute value function is a function that contains an algebraic expression within
absolute value symbols.
Key Concept - Parent Function of Absolute Value Functions

Parent function: f (x ) = |x| , defined as

f (x ) =

Type of graph: V-shaped

Domain: all real numbers
Range: all nonnegative real numbers
Intercepts: x = 0, f (x ) = 0
Not defined: f (x ) < 0
 Identify the domain and range.

Key Points
 The domain of a piecewise-defined function is the union of its subdomains.
 The range of a piecewise-defined function is the union of the ranges of each sub
function over its subdomain.
 We can find the domain of a function from its graph by considering the intersections of
the curve with vertical lines.
 We can find the range of a function from its graph by considering the intersections of
the curve with horizontal lines.
Example 1 Piecewise-Defined Function
Graph f(x) =. Identify the domain and range.

Solution: Step 1 Graph f(x) = x - 2 for x < -1.

f(x) = x - 2
= (-1) - 2
= -3
Because -1 does not satisfy the inequality, begin with a circle at (-1, -3).
Step 2 Graph f(x) = x + 3 for x ≥ -1.
f(x) = x + 3
= (-1) + 3
=2
Because -1 satisfies the inequality, begin with a dot at (-1, 2).
The function is defined for all values of x, so the domain is all real numbers.
The f(x)-coordinates of points on the graph are all real numbers less than -3 and all real
numbers greater than or equal to 2, so the range is {f(x)| f(x) < -3 or f(x) ≥ 2}.
Example 2 Write a Piecewise-Defined Function shown in the graph.

The left portion of the graph is the graph off(x) = 2x + 3.

There is a circle at (1, 5),
so the linear function is defined for {x|x < 1}.
The center portion of the graph is the graph of f(x) = -x + 2.
There are dots at (1, 1) and (2, 0),
so the linear function is defined for {x|1 ≤ x ≤ 2}.
The right portion of the graph is the constant function f(x) = 3.
There is a circle at (2, 3), so the constant function is defined for {x|x > 2}.
Write the piecewise-defined function.
f (x ) =
Real-World Example 3 Use a Step Function
BUSINESS An automotive repair center charges $50 for any part of the first hour of labor, and $35 for any part of each
additional hour. Draw a graph that represents this situation.

Understand The total labor charge is $50 for the first hour plus $35 for each additional fraction of
an hour, so the graph will be a step function.
Plan If the time spent on labor is greater than 0 hours, but less than or equal to 1 hour, then the
labor charge is $50.
If the time is greater than 1 hour but less than 2 hours, then the labor charge is $85, and so on.
Solve Use the pattern of times and costs to make a table, where x is the number of hours of labor
and T(x) is the total labor charge. Then graph.
Example 4 Absolute Value Functions
Graph f(x) = |2x| - 4. Identify the domain and range.

Create a table of values. Graph the points and connect them.

The domain is the set of all real numbers.
The range is {f (x)| f(x) ≥ -4}.
2-7 Parent Functions and Transformations

1 Parent Graphs:
A family of graphs is a group of graphs that display one or more similar characteristics.
The parent graph, which is the graph of the parent function, is the simplest of the graphs
in a family.
This is the graph that is transformed to create other members in a family of graphs.
 Key Concept Parent Functions

Constant Function Identity Function

The general equation of a constant function The identity function f (x ) = x passes

is f (x ) = a, where a is any number. through all points with coordinates (a, a ).
The domain is all real numbers, and the It is the parent function of most linear
range consists of a single real number a. functions.
Its domain and range are all real numbers.
 Key Concept Parent Functions

Absolute Value Function Quadratic Function

Recall that the parent function of absolute

value functions is f (x ) = |x|. The parent function of quadratic functions is
The domain of f (x ) = |x| is the set of real f (x ) = x2 .
numbers, and the range is the set of real The domain of f (x ) = x2 is the set of real
numbers greater than or equal to 0. numbers, and the range is the set of real
numbers greater than or equal to 0.
Example 1 Identify a Function Given the Graph

Absolute Value Function Constant Function

The graph is in the shape of a V. The graph is a horizontal line that crosses
The graph represents an absolute value the y-axis at 4.
function. The graph represents a constant function
Guided Practice

Quadratic Function Constant Function

The graph is in the shape of a U. The graph is a line.

The graph represents Quadratic Function. The graph represents a linear function.
2 Transformations

Transformations of a parent graph may appear in a different location, flip over an axis, or
appear to have been stretched or compressed.
The transformed graph may resemble the parent graph, or it may not.
A translation moves a figure up, down, left, or right.
• When a constant k is added to or subtracted from a parent function, the result f(x) ± k is
a translation of the graph up or down.
• When a constant h is added to or subtracted from x before evaluating a parent
function, the result, f(x ± h), is a translation left or right.

Note: A translation is also called a slide, a shift, or a glide.

Example 2 Describe and Graph Translations

Describe the translation in y = |x| + 2. Then graph the function.

The graph of y = |x| + 2 is a translation of the graph of y = |x| up 2 units.
Guided Practice
Describe the translation in each function. Then graph the function.
2A. y = |x + 3|

ANSWER:
Translation of the graph of y = | x | left 3 units
Guided Practice
Describe the translation in each function. Then graph the function.
2B. y = x2 - 4

ANSWER:
translation of the graph of
y = x2 - 4 left 4 units
Reflection

A reflection flips a figure over a line called the line of reflection.

 When a parent function is multiplied by -1, the result -f(x) is a reflection of the graph in
the x-axis.
 When only the variable is multiplied by -1, the result f(-x) is a reflection of the graph in
a line of reflection through the vertex.
Example 3 Describe and Graph Reflections
Describe the reflection in y = - x 2 . Then graph the function.

The graph of y = - x2 is a reflection of the graph of y = x2 in the x-axis.

Guided Practice
Describe the reflection in each function. Then graph the function.
3A. y = - |x|

Answer: Create a table of values.

x y
0 0
1 -1
-1 -1
3 -3
-3 -3
Guided Practice
Describe the reflection in each function. Then graph the function.
3B. y = -x

Answer: Create a table of values.

x y
0 0
3 -3
-3 3
5 -5
-5 5
Dilation

A dilation shrinks or enlarges a figure proportionally. When the variable in a linear parent
function is multiplied by a nonzero number, the slope of the graph changes.
 When a nonlinear parent function is multiplied by a nonzero number, the function is
stretched or compressed vertically.
 Coefficients greater than 1 cause the graph to be stretched vertically, and coefficients
between 0 and 1 cause the graph to be compressed vertically.
Example 4 Describe and Graph Dilations
Describe the dilation in y = 4x. Then graph the function.

The graph of y = 4x is a dilation of the graph of y = x. The slope of the graph of y = 4x is

steeper than that of the graph of y = x.
Guided Practice
Describe the dilation in each function. Then graph the function.
4A. y = 2 x2
Guided Practice
Describe the dilation in each function. Then graph the function.
4B. y = |x|
Real-World Example 5 Identify Transformations
LANDSCAPING Ethan is going to add a brick walkway around the perimeter of his vegetable garden.
The area of the walkway can be represented by the function f(x) = 4(x + 2.5 ) 2 - 25. Describe the
transformations in the function. Then graph the function.

The graph of f(x) = 4(x + 2.5 )2 – 25 is a combination of transformations of the parent

graph f(x) = x2 . Determine how each transformation affects the parent graph.
f(x) = 4(x + 2.5 )2 – 25
+ 2.5 translates f(x) = x2 left 2.5 units.
- 25 translates f(x) = x2 down 25 units.
4 stretches f(x) = x2 vertically.
Guided Practice
5. SCIENCE The function C(x) = (x - 32) can be used to determine the temperature in degrees Celsius when
given the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Describe the transformations in the function. Then graph
the function.
 Concept Summary Transformations of Functions

Transformation Change to Parent Graph

Translation
f (x + h ), h > 0 Translates graph h units left.
f (x - h ), h > 0 Translates graph h units right.
f (x ) + k, k > 0 Translates graph k units up.
f (x ) - k, k > 0 Translates graph k units down.

Reflection
-f (x ) Reflects graph in the x-axis.
f (-x ) Reflects graph in the y-axis.
Dilation
a · f (x ), |a | > 1 Stretches graph vertically.
a · f (x ), 0 < | a | < 1 Compresses graph vertically
f (bx ), | b | > 1 Compresses graph horizontally.
f (bx ), 0 < | b | < 1 Stretches graph horizontally.
Graphing Linear and Absolute Value
Inequalities
Graphing Linear and Absolute Value Inequalities

Graph Linear Inequalities

• A linear inequality resembles a linear equation, but with an inequality symbol instead
of an equals symbol.
• For example, y > -3x - 2 is a linear inequality and
y = -3x - 2 is the related linear equation.
Graphing Linear and Absolute Value Inequalities

• The graph of the inequality y > -3x - 2 is shown at the

right as a shaded region.
• Every point in the shaded region satisfies the
inequality.
• The graph of y = -3x - 2 is the boundary of the region.
It is drawn as a dashed line to show that points on the
line do not satisfy the inequality.
• If the symbol were ≤ or ≥, then points on the
boundary would satisfy the inequality, so the
boundary would be drawn as a solid line.
Example 1 - Dashed Boundary
Graph x + 4y > 2.
Step 1 -The boundary of the graph is the graph of x + 4y = 2.
Since the inequality symbol is >, the boundary will be dashed.
Step 2 - Test the point (0, 0) because it is not on the boundary.
x + 4y > 2 Original inequality
0 + 4(0) > 2 (x, y) = (0, 0)
0>2 False
The region that does not contain (0, 0) is shaded.
• CHECK The graph indicates that (0, 3) is a solution.
x + 4y > 2 Original inequality
0 + 4(3) > 2 (x, y) = (0, 3)
12 > 2
True The solution checks.
Guided Practice

1A. Graph 3x + (1/2)y < 2.

1B. Graph -x + 2y > 4
Example 2 - Solid Boundary
RECREATION - A recreation center offers various 30-minute and 60-minute art classes. The
recreation director has allotted up to 20 hours per week for art classes.
a. Write an inequality to represent the number of classes that can be offered per week. Graph
the inequality.

• Let x represent the number of 30-minute or (1/2) hour art classes, and let y represent
the number of 60-minute or 1-hour art classes. Because the sum can equal the
maximum, the inequality symbol is ≤, and the boundary is solid. The inequality is (1/2)x
+ y ≤ 20.
Step 1 Graph the boundary (1/2)x + y = 20.
Step 2 Test the point (0, 0).
(1/2)x + y ≤ 20 Original inequality
(1/2)(0) + (0) ≤ 20 ? (x, y) = (0, 0)
0 ≤ 20 True
The region that contains (0, 0) is shaded.
Example 2 - Solid Boundary
RECREATION - A recreation center offers various 30-minute and 60-minute art classes. The
recreation director has allotted up to 20 hours per week for art classes.
b. Can the recreation director schedule 25 of the 30-minute classes and 15 of the 60-minute
classes during a given week? Explain your reasoning.

• The point (25, 15) lies outside the shaded region, so it does not satisfy the inequality.
Thus, the recreation director cannot schedule 25 - 30-minute and 15 - 60-minute
classes.
Guided Practice
2. Manuel has $15 to spend at the county fair. The fair costs $5 for admission, $0.75 for each ride
ticket, and $0.25 for each game ticket. Write an inequality, and draw a graph that represents the
number of r ride and g game tickets that Manuel can buy.
Graph Absolute Value Inequalities

• Graphing absolute value inequalities is similar to graphing linear inequalities.

• First you graph the absolute value equation.
• Then you determine whether the boundary is dashed or solid and which region should
be shaded.
Example 3 - Absolute Value Inequality
Graph y ≥ |x| - 4.

• Graphing absolute value inequalities is similar to graphing linear inequalities. First you
graph the absolute value equation. Then you determine whether the boundary is
dashed or solid and which region should be shaded.

• Since the inequality symbol is ≥, the boundary is solid. Graph the equation. Then test (0,
0).
y ≥ |x| - 4 Original inequality
0 ≥|0| - 4 ? (x, y) = (0, 0)
0 ≥ -4 True
The region that includes (0, 0) is shaded.
Thank You