REPRESENTING REAL-LIFE

SITUATIONS USING FUNCTIONS,

INCLUDING PIECE-WISE
FUNCTIONS
Let's Review
In Grade 8, you learned about linear equation. Whereas in Grade 9, quadratic
equation was introduced to you. Examine the input-output machines below and
recall how to evaluate equations. In evaluating equations, replace or substitute
the variable x by a given number or expression.

1.) Let x = 2 3.) Let x = 3 5.) Let x = -3

2
y = 3x - 6 y=9-x y = x2 + x + 6
y = ?? y = ?? y = ??

2.) Let x = 5 4.) Let x = 3

2
y = 2x + 5 y = x - 3x + 5
y = ?? y = ??
In Grade 8, you learned about linear equation. Whereas in Grade 9, quadratic
equation was introduced to you. Examine the input-output machines below and
recall how to evaluate equations. In evaluating equations, replace or substitute
the variable x by a given number or expression.

1.) Let x = 2 3.) Let x = 3 5.) Let x = -3

2
y = 3x - 6 y=9-x y = x2 + x + 6
y=0 y=0 y = 12

2.) Let x = 5 4.) Let x = 3

2
y = 2x + 5 y = x - 3x + 5
y = -5 y=5
Key Definition: A relation is a rule that relates values from a
set of values (called the domain) to a second set of values
(called the range).

Concepts
A relation is a set of ordered pairs (x, y).
Definition: A function is a relation where each element in
the domain is related to only one value in the range by
some rule.
A function is a set of ordered pairs (x, y) such that no two
ordered pairs have the same x-value but different y-
values. Using functional notation, we can write f(x) = y,
read as "f of x equal to y". Do not restrict the name of the
function to f only, all the letters of the alphabet can be
used to name the function, but the usual letters used in
books are f, g, and h.
Remember that all functions are relations, but not all
relations are functions.
Consider the following examples below in identifying functions from a
mere relation only.
 NOTE
In determining whether a relation is a function on a graph is
easy by using the vertical line test. If a vertical line is drawn in all
locations in the cartesian coordinate plane and it passes on the
graph at once only then it is a function. However, if a vertical
line crosses the graph at more than one point, then the relation
is not a function.
NOTE: In determining whether a given equation is a function, solve in terms of y. If
it yields a unique result, it is a function. In the above examples, c and e are not
functions. For instance in e, if we let x = 4 that would be y = √9 and we know that √9
has two roots which are -3 and 3. As what is discussed earlier that would mean
that a vertical line would hit two points, so it is not a function.
Piece-wise Function
A piece-wise function is a function consisting of sub-functions (pieces)
defined on a sequence of intervals (domains). The domain of each sub-
function must not overlap. A step or floor function is an example of piece-
wise function.
Piece-wise Function
A piece-wise function is a function consisting of sub-functions (pieces)
defined on a sequence of intervals (domains). The domain of each sub-
function must not overlap. A step or floor function is an example of piece-
wise function.

Example:
You plan to sell insπre t-shirts as a fundraiser. The wholesale t-shirt company
charges you Php 200.00 a shirt for the first 75 shirts. After the first 75 shirts you
purchase up to 150 shirts, the company will lower its price to Php 180.00 per shirt.
After you purchase 150 shirts, the price will decrease to Php 150.00 per shirt. Write
a function that models this situation.
Solution:
For up to 75 shirts, the price is Php 200.00.

For more than 75 shirts but up to 150, the cost is Php 180.00, but the first 75 t- shirts will still cost
php 200.00 per shirt. So the second function includes Php 15,000.00 on the first 75 shirts (75 ×
200), and also includes Php 180.00 times the number of shirt over 75, which would be (x − 75).

200(75) + 180(x − 75)

15,000 + 180x − 13500
180x + 1500

Similarly, for over 150 shirts, we would still pay the Php 200.00 price up through 75 shirts, the
Php 180.00 price for 76 to 150 shirts (75 more shirts), and then Php 150.00 per shirt for the
number of shirts brought over 150.
200(75) + 180(75) + 150(x − 150)
15000 + 13500 + 150x − 22500
150x + 6000
Solution:
f(x) = {
200x If 1 ≤ x ≤ 75
180x + 1500 If 75 ≤ x ≤ 150
150x + 6000 If x > 150
Activities
#1
Directions: Determine if the following statements depicts
a function.
1. Learners Registration Number (LRN) to the students enrolled in a class.
2. A coin to the images formed at two plane mirrors positioned at right angle
to each other.
3. Customers queuing to the cashier of counter 10 awaiting to be served.
4. A password to your official Facebook account.
5. An emergency alert warning from NDRMMC to all registered phones.
#2 Do you still remember the conventional keyboard of phones before touchscreens take
over? This cellphone keypad sets up a correspondence between letters and numbers;
however, there is a qualitative difference between the letter-number correspondence
and the reverse number-letter correspondence.

1. Decode the letter-number correspondence of I-LOVE-MATH

using the cellphone keypad. (Assume that there is no limit as
to the number of digits for a cellphone number.)

2. Decode the number-letter correspondence of 7829-28-4663 using the cell

phone keypad. You may have more than one answer.
Hint: Everyone is encouraged to do this to prevent the spread of Covid-19
virus.

Question: Which of the two correspondences is a function?

#3

A computer shop is offering Php 60.00 for the first two hours and an
extra Php 20.00 for each hour (or a fraction of it) after that. If you
rent for more than five hours, you instead pay a promo rate of Php
100.00. Represent your payment using p(t) where t is the number of
hours you stay inside the computer shop.
#4
Directions: Tell what process should be observed in determining
relations said to be functions given the following:

1. set of ordered pairs

2. table of values
3. graphs
4. equations
5. mapping diagrams
EVALUATING A FUNCTION
Let's Review
Let us recall the PEMDAS rule in evaluating numerical expressions. In PEMDAS
rule the order of operation is as follows: Parenthesis or grouping symbols,
Exponents, Multiplication and Division (whichever comes first in order from left to
right), and lastly Addition and Subtraction (whichever comes first in order from
left to right).

Evaluate the following numerical expressions:

1.) 2(15 + 3 − 10)

Let us recall the PEMDAS rule in evaluating numerical expressions. In PEMDAS
rule the order of operation is as follows: Parenthesis or grouping symbols,
Exponents, Multiplication and Division (whichever comes first in order from left to
right), and lastly Addition and Subtraction (whichever comes first in order from
left to right).

Evaluate the following numerical expressions:

1.) 2(15 + 3 − 10) Parenthesis first

Addition and Subtraction from left to right
= 2(18 − 10) Subtract
= 2(8) Multiply
= 16
2.) {3[2(18 − 6) + 2] − 10}

3.) 78 + [30 − 0.05(28 + 8)]

2.) {3[2(18 − 6) + 2] − 10} Notice the grouping symbols used
Parenthesis first
= {3[2(12) + 2] − 10} Multiply terms inside the braces
= {3[24 + 2] − 10} Add the remaining numbers in the braces
= 3(26) − 10 Multiply
= 78 − 10 Subtract
= 68

3.) 78 + [30 − 0.05(28 + 8)] Notice that a parenthesis is inside a bracket

Compute the innermost parenthesis
= 78 + [30 − 0.05(36)] Inside the brackets follow the order of operations
Do multiplication first
= 78 + [30 − 18] Compute remaining terms inside the grouping
symbols
= 78 + 12 Compute the final addition problem
= 90
 2
4.) 4+(4−2) −7
30−2(7)+4
 2
4.) 4+(4−2) −7
Parenthesis first
30−2(7)+4

2
4+(2) −7
= Exponents in the numerator
30−2(7)+4

4+4−7
= Addition and subtraction are left in the numerator
30−2(7)+4 Compute from left to right

1
= Do the multiplication in the denominator
30−2(7)+4

=
1 Addition and subtraction in the denominator
30−14+4 Compute from left to right
1
=
20
Key To evaluate a function is to: Replace (substitute) its
variable to a given number or expression. To denote that

Concepts
we are evaluating f at a for some a in the domain of f, we
write f(a).
Key
Concepts
Activities
#5
#6
 PERFORMING ADDITION,
SUBTRACTION,
MULTIPLICATION, DIVISION,
AND COMPOSITION OF
FUNCTIONS
Let's Review
Directions: Recall the operations on polynomials which you
discussed in Grade 7.
Directions: Recall the operations on polynomials which you
discussed in Grade 7.
Key
Concepts
Key
Concepts
Key Use the following functions below in
performing the indicated operation in each

Concepts
number.
Key
Concepts
Key
Concepts
Activities
#7
#8
#9
 SOLVING PROBLEMS
INVOLVING FUNCTIONS
Let's Review
Directions: Recall translating word phrases to
algebraic expressions.
Directions: Recall translating word phrases to
algebraic expressions.
Key In 1945, George Polya published the book How To Solve It which quickly
became his most prized publication. It sold over one million copies and has
been translated into 17 languages. In this book he identifies four basic

Concepts
principles of problem solving.

1. Understand the problem

What is the unknown? What are the data? What is the condition?
2. Devise a plan
Find the connection between the data and the unknown. The following are the
strategies that can be used: Guess and check, Look for a pattern, Make an
orderly list, Draw a picture, Eliminate possibilities, Solve a simpler problem,
Use symmetry, Use a model, Consider special cases, Work backwards, Use
direct reasoning, and Use a formula.

3. Carry out the plan

Persist with the plan that you have chosen. If it continues not to work discard
it and choose another. Don’t be misled, this is how mathematics is done, even
by professionals.
Key 4. Look back
Reflect and look back at what you have done, what worked, and what didn’t.
Doing this will enable you to predict what strategy to use to solve future

Concepts
problems.
Key 4. Look back
Reflect and look back at what you have done, what worked, and what didn’t.
Doing this will enable you to predict what strategy to use to solve future

Concepts
problems.

Illustrative Examples:

1. A machine salesperson earns a base salary of Php

15,000.00 plus a commission of Php 500.00 for every
machine he sells. What would be his income if he sold
50 machines?
Key 4. Look back
Reflect and look back at what you have done, what worked, and what didn’t.
Doing this will enable you to predict what strategy to use to solve future

Concepts
problems.

Illustrative Examples:

1. A machine salesperson earns a base salary of Php

15,000.00 plus a commission of Php 500.00 for every
machine he sells. What would be his income if he sold
50 machines?

f(x) = 15,000 + 500x

f(150) = 15,000 + 500(50)
= Php 40,000.00
Key 2. The population of Makati City as of 2015 is

Concepts
386,276. Supposed that each year the population
increases linearly by a constant rate of 10,000
people. In 10 years, what would be the population of
Makati City?
Key 2. The population of Makati City as of 2015 is

Concepts
386,276. Supposed that each year the population
increases linearly by a constant rate of 10,000
people. In 10 years, what would be the population of
Makati City?

f(x) = 386,276 + 10,000x

f(10) = 386,276 + 10,000(10)
= 386,276 + 100,000
= 486,276
Key 3. A dud missile is fired straight into the air from a

Concepts
military instillation. The missile’s height is given
2
by the formula; h(t)= −16t + 400t+100. How high is
the missile after 4.5 seconds?
Key 3. A dud missile is fired straight into the air from a

Concepts
military instillation. The missile’s height is given
2
by the formula; h(t)= −16t + 400t+100. How high is
the missile after 4.5 seconds?
2
h(t) = −16t + 400t + 100
2
h(4.5) = −16(4.5) + 400(4.5) + 100
= −16(20.25) + 1800 + 100
= −324 + 1800 + 100
= 1576 ft
Key 4. Suppose that the population of rabbits
increases by 1.5 times a month. When the initial

Concepts population is 100, what is the approximate integer

population after a year?
Key 4. Suppose that the population of rabbits
increases by 1.5 times a month. When the initial

Concepts population is 100, what is the approximate integer

population after a year?
12
100 × 1.5 ≈ 100 × 129.75 = 12975
Key 5. It will take you 10 hours to paint your garage and
it will take your brother 15 hours to do the same job.

Concepts
How long will it take if the two of you work
together to paint the garage?
Key 5. It will take you 10 hours to paint your garage and
it will take your brother 15 hours to do the same job.

Concepts
How long will it take if the two of you work
together to paint the garage?
Activities
#10

What is the average growth rate of a healthy Asian

female hair? In three years, how long would a
strand of hair be? Represent this problem in a
function and graph.
#11
#13
#14
#15
#15