Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Unit I: Functions
Lesson 3: Piecewise Function

Introduction

Observe the image below:

If we will rotate each square, we can form an image. If you correctly reformed the squares, you
will form the image below:

Figure 1 - Fennec fox (Retrieved from:https://images.app.goo.gl/F59znqiMiSg7djER8)

What do you think would happen if a portion of that picture was wrongly done?
Could you still describe the picture?

Some of you might probably guess it right but most of you might still get confused if one square
was not properly rotated. This concept has something to do with our lesson in this module. Because the
function that we will discuss today has something to do with “portions” or “pieces”. Can you imagine a
function that is made up of functions? That’s possible! We will go deeper to this concept as we move on
to this module.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Learning Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

a. Define piecewise function

b. Evaluate piecewise function

c. Graph a piecewise function

Pre-requisite Skills / Review

Before we proceed directly to the lesson, let us review the concept of writing equations for a
function. You can collaborate with your classmate to accomplish this activity.

Refer to the graph below:

a. Does the graph represent y as a function of x? Justify your conclusion.

b. What is the value of the function when x = 0? How can you tell?

c. Write an equation that represents the values of the function when x ≤ 0. f(x) = , if x ≤ 0

d. Write an equation that represents the values of the function when x > 0. f(x) = , if x > 0

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Lesson 3.1 – CONCEPT OF PIECEWISE FUNCTION

Let us observe the graph below:

Is it possible to name the graph above

The answer is yes! And we can possibly

What is Piecewise Function?

Piecewise function or a compound function is a function defined by multiple sub-functions, where each
sub-function applies to a certain interval of the main function domain. It is a function defined by at least
two equations ("pieces"), each of which applies to a different part of the domain.

For example, the piecewise function given by,

2𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 1
𝑓(𝑥) = {
3𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1

is defined by two equations. One equation gives the values of 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑥 is less than or equal to 1, and
the other equation gives the values of 𝑓(𝑥) when 𝑥 is greater than 1.

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Lesson 3.2 – EVALUATING PIECEWISE FUNCTION

Piecewise functions could be evaluated. Evaluating piecewise functions could help us in constructing
its graph. The following examples will show us the process of evaluating piecewise functions.

Example:

Evaluate 𝑓(𝑥) when(𝑎) 𝑥 = 0, (𝑏) 𝑥 = 2, and (𝑐) 𝑥 = 4.

𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < 2
𝑓(𝑥) = {
2𝑥 + 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2

Solution 1: (𝑎) 𝑥 = 0

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 , because 0 < 2, use the first equation, then substitute the value of 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 0 + 2

𝑓(𝑥) = 2

Solution 2: (𝑏) 𝑥 = 2

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 , because 2 ≥ 2, use the second equation, then substitute the value of 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 2(2) + 1

𝑓(𝑥) = 5

Solution 3: (𝑐) 𝑥 = 4

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 1 , because 4 ≥ 2, use the second equation, then substitute the value of 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 2(4) + 1

𝑓(𝑥) = 9

Did you follow the steps? If you did,

Evaluate the function:

3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −2
𝑓(𝑥) = {𝑥 + 2, 𝑖𝑓 − 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5
4𝑥, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 5

1. 𝑓(−8) 3. 𝑓(0) 5. 𝑓(5)

2. 𝑓(−2) 4. 𝑓(3) 6. 𝑓(10)

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

Key Concepts

✓ Piecewise function or a compound function is a function defined by multiple sub-functions, where

Tutorial Videos

Watch the following videos embedded on the links below for additional examples and notes!

a) Evaluation of Piecewise Function: https://youtu.be/OYOXMyFKotc

Enrichment Activity

Evaluate and graph the following piecewise functions:

5𝑥 − 1, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 < −2
𝑓(𝑥) = {
𝑥 + 3, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ −2

−𝑥 + 4, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≤ −1
𝑓(𝑥) = { 3, 𝑖𝑓 − 1 < 𝑥 < 2
2𝑥 − 5, 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 2

1. 𝑓(−3) 3. 𝑓(0) 5. 𝑓(−4)

2. 𝑓(−2) 4. 𝑓(5) 6. 𝑓(−1)

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 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
General Mathematics
SY 2022 – 2023

References
The Organic Chemistry Tutor. (2018, Feb 9). Evaluating Piecewise Functions. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYOXMyFKotc&feature=youtu.be

Brian McLogan. (2010, Sept 29). How to Graph a Piecewise Functions. YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-EgnuaThpE&feature=youtu.be

Big Math Ideas. (n.d.). Piecewise Functions. Retrieved from:

https://static.bigideasmath.com/protected/content/pe/hsim/int_math2_pe_01_02.pdf

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