Algebra 2 & Pre-Calculus – Honors Section 21 Piecewise Investigations

Graphing a Piecewise Function

Common Core Standards

MA.9-12.HSF-IF - Interpreting Functions
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.A - Understand the concept of a function and use function notation
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.1 - Understand that a function from one set (called the domain) to another set (called the
range) assigns to each element of the domain exactly one element of the range. If f is a function and x is
an element of its domain, then f(x) denotes the output of f corresponding to the input x. The graph of f is
the graph of the equation y = f(x).
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.2 – Use function notation, evaluate functions for inputs in their domains, and interpret
statements that use function notation in terms of a context.
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.B - Interpret functions that arise in applications in terms of the context
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.5 - Relate the domain of a function to its graph and, where applicable, to the quantitative
relationship it describes.
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.C - Analyze functions using different representations
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.7 – Graph functions expressed symbolically and show key features of the graph, by hand in
simple cases and using technology for more complicated cases.
MA.9-12.HSF-IF.7.b - Graph square root, cube root, and piecewise-defined functions, including step
functions and absolute value functions.

Mathematical Practice Standards

MP1: Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

MP7: Look for and make use of structure.

MP3: Construct viable MP4: Model MP5: Use MP6: Attend to

arguments and critique the with appropriate tools precision.
reasoning of others. mathematics. strategically.

Previous Experience
 Students have extensive experience in analyzing graphs
 Student have limited experience in creating graphs

Objective(s)
 Graph a piecewise function on [–10, 10].

New Vocabulary
 include (closed circle)  exclude (open circle)

Rationale
 The experience of graphing basic (linear) piecewise functions contributes immensely to how the piecewise
function actually works.
 The piecewise function (combined with the rational function) will be used to teach the concepts of limits and
continuity. The ‘endpoint’ analysis in this section is a preview of the upcoming limits.