Subject Code Math 5 Differential Calculus

Guide Code 2.0 Review of Functions and Introduction to Limits

Lesson Code 2.2.2 Piecewise-defined Functions
Time Limit 30 minutes

Time Actual
Allocatio Time
Components Sample Tasks n Allocation
(in (in
minutes)a minutes)b

Target By the end of this guide, the students will have been able to: 0.5

i. Sketch the graph of piecewise-defined function.

ii. Determine the domain and range of piecewise-defined
function.

Hook Like some of the common functions, piecewise-defined

function can also be sketched its graph easily in the rectangular 0.5
coordinate system. How do we graph this type of function?

To graph of the piecewise-defined function, we graph the

different pieces for the different sub-intervals. Now, let us use the
piecewise-defined function 𝑀(𝑥) used in Module 2.2.1 as an
example.

Ignite Example 1 | Graphing Piecewise-defined Function 12

Let 𝑀 be the function defined by

𝑥 + 2 , −3 ≤ 𝑥 < −1
𝑀(𝑥) = & 𝑥 ! + 1 , −1 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
1 , 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
Determine the domain and range of 𝑀, and sketch its graph.

Solution

The piecewise graph

has three pieces and two
boundary points at 𝑥 = −3 and
𝑥 = 3. The first piece of our
graph is the linear function
𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2 for −3 ≤ 𝑥 < −1.
We need to sketch the graph of
this linear function within the
interval [−3, −1) by
identifying its endpoints
through solving for 𝑀(−3) 4(a) 𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2, −3 ≤ 𝑥 < −1
and 𝑀(−1).
𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 2
𝑀(−3) = −3 + 2 = −1
𝑀(−1) = −1 + 2 = 1

Mathematics 5 | Page 1 of 7
So the two endpoints of this line are (−3, −1) which is a filled dot
and (−1,1) which is an open dot since 𝑥 = −1 is not part of the
domain of 𝑀(𝑥) in this piece. See Figure 4(a) for the graph.

The second piece is

4(b) 𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! + 1, −1 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
the quadratic function
!
𝑀(𝑥) = 𝑥 + 1 for −1 ≤
𝑥 < 1. We need to sketch the
graph of this function within
the interval [−1,1) by
identifying its endpoints
through solving for 𝑀(−1)
and 𝑀(1), and the its vertex.
With the use of the properties
of parabola, the vertex is
𝑉(0,0) and the endpoints are
(−1,2) a filled dot and (1,2)
an open dot. See Figure 4(b)
for the graph.

The third piece is the

constant function 𝑀(𝑥) = 1 for
1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3. We need to sketch the
graph of this function within the
interval [1,3] by identifying its
endpoints through solving for
𝑀(1) and 𝑀(3). By using the
properties of constant function, the
endpoints are (1,1) and (3,1)
which are filled dots since 1 and 3
are part of the domain of this piece. 4(c) 𝐻(𝑥) = 1, 1 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3
See Figure 4(c) for the graph.

After sketching the graph

of the given piecewise-
defined function piece by
piece, we can combine
them in one coordinate
plane. Thus, the graph of
𝑀(𝑥) is shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 The graph of 𝑀(𝑥).

The domain of 𝑀 is [−3,3]. The function values of the three pieces

are either numbers greater than or equal to −1 but less than 1,
numbers from 1 to 2 inclusive, or the number 1. Therefore, the
range of 𝑓 is the set [−1,1) ∪ {1} ∪ [1,2], which is equivalent to
the set [−1,2].

Mathematics 5 | Page 2 of 7
Example 2 | Graphing Piecewise-defined Function

Let 𝑞 be the function defined by

3
𝑥 ! − 3𝑥 + 4, 𝑥≠
𝑞(𝑥) = : 2
3
3, 𝑥=
2

Determine the domain and range of 𝑞, and sketch its graph.

Solution

The piecewise graph has two

pieces and no boundary points.
The first piece of our graph is
the quadratic function 𝑞(𝑥) =
"
𝑥 ! − 3𝑥 + 4 for 𝑥 ≠ !. The
graph of this piece is a parabola
that opens downward and with a
"
hole at 𝑥 = . The second piece
!
is a constant function 𝑞(𝑥) = 3
"
for 𝑥 = !. The graph of this is a
"
just a point = , 3> . The
!
combination of the graph of
these two pieces is shown in Figure 5 The graph of 𝑓 (𝑥).
Figure 5.

The domain of 𝑞 is (−∞, +∞). The function values of the two

#
pieces are either numbers greater than or the number 3. Therefore,
$
#
the range of 𝑞 is the set =$ , +∞>.

To learn more about piecewise-defined functions click the link

below.

https://youtu.be/u9NG5xVSS9M

Mathematics 5 | Page 3 of 7
Navigate
10
LET US PRACTICE

Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range

of the following piecewise-defined functions.

−𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −1
1) 𝑓(𝑥) = @
𝑥 ! , 𝑥 ≥ −1

𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −2
2) 𝑓(𝑥) = B√16 − 𝑥 ! , −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
𝑥 ! , 1 < 𝑥

Mathematics 5 | Page 4 of 7
 Knot In this lesson, we have learned how to determine the domain
and range, and sketch the graph of piecewise-defined functions. 1
Below is the summary of all the topics discussed.

Graphing Piecewise-defined functions

1. Start with the first piece or equation in the given
function.
2. Determine the domain and range of that piece.
3. Sketch the graph of the first piece.
4. Go to the next piece and follow steps 1 to 3 until you
graphed all pieces in the function.

ASSESSMENT

Sketch the graph and determine the domain and range 6

of the following piecewise-defined functions.

−2𝑥 + 1, 𝑥 < 0
1) 𝑓 (𝑥) = @
𝑥 ! − 1, 𝑥 ≥ 0

−𝑥 − 2, 𝑥 < −2
2) 𝑓(𝑥) = B√9 − 𝑥 ! , −2 ≤ 𝑥 < 1
3 − 𝑥 ! , 1 ≤ 𝑥

a
suggested time allocation set by the teacher
b
actual time spent by the student (for information purposes only)

Mathematics 5 | Page 5 of 7
 REFERENCES

Albarico, J.M. (2013). THINK Framework. (Based on Ramos, E.G. and N. Apolinario. (n.d.)
Science LINKS. Rex Bookstore, Inc.)

Larson, R., Boswell, L., Kanold, T., & Stiff, L. (2007). McDougal Little Algebra 2
Applications, Equations and Grpahs. Washington: Houghton Mifflin.

Larson, R. & Edwards, B.H. (2010). Calculus, 9th Ed. US: CENGAGE Learning.

Swakowski, E., and Cole, J., 2010. Algebra and Trigonometry with Analytic Geometry, 12ed.
CENGAGE Learning.

Piecewise Functions. Brilliant.org. Retrieved 14:29, July 14, 2020, from

https://brilliant.org/wiki/piecewise-functions/

Icon used for references was grabbed from https://www.flaticon.com.

The graphs were constructed from https://www.geogebra.org.

Prepared by: Romeo M. Madrona, Jr. Reviewed by: Julius O. Albina

Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) I Position: Special Science Teacher (SST) IV
Campus: PSHS-CALABARZON Campus: PSHS- Central Visayas Campus

Mathematics 5 | Page 6 of 7
 SOLUTION KEY TO LET US PRACTICE

Odd numbers only.

Sketch the graph of the following piecewise-defined functions.

−𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −1
1) 𝑓(𝑥) = @
𝑥 ! , 𝑥 ≥ −1

First piece: 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 3, 𝑥 < −1

The first piece is a linear equation with domain (−∞, −1).
Its range is (∞, 4).

Second piece: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 ! , 𝑥 ≥ −1

The second piece is a parabola with vertex at (0,0) and
domain [−1, ∞). Its range is [0, ∞).

The domain of 𝑓 is (−∞, +∞). The function values of the

two pieces are either numbers greater than 4 or greater than
or equal to 0. Therefore, the range of 𝑓 is the set [0, ∞).

Or
Domain of 𝑓 = (−∞, ∞)
Range of 𝑓 = [0, ∞)

Mathematics 5 | Page 7 of 7