Algebra 1

Section 6.2

Graphing Piecewise Functions

Graphing Piecewise Functions

Piecewise functions are no exception to what the graph of a function represents. The graph
of a piecewise function is still collection of points (x, f (x)). Because a piecewise function is defined
by different equations over different intervals, the shape of the graph will change with these intervals.
Over each interval where f (x) is defined by a unique equation, the graph of that equation is the graph
of the piecewise function.

Consider the example piecewise function from 6.1 and its graph below.

=
(
x x0
f (x) =
x2 0<x

Notice that the left side of the graph is a line while the right side of the graph is half of a parabola;
this is representative of the linear equation and the quadratic equation that compose the piecewise
function.

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 This is simple when the graph is connected, but when its not connected, it is necessary to show
which part of the graph a point belongs to. Consider the example below.

(
x x0
f (x) =
3x 0<x

As x approaches 0 from the positive side, the graph of the function is. However, at x = 0, the
graph is part of the linear equation. Notice that x can get very close to 0 (such as x = 0.0000000...1
and the function is not linear. It is impossible to show this infinitely small distance as not being part
of the exponential graph. Rather, it is convention to use an open circle at the boundary to indicate
the function is not part of that piece at the boundary point. A closed circle means the function is part
of that piece at the boundary point. For example, observe the graph of the above piecewise function
below.

(0,1); Not part of the graph

(0,0); Part of the graph

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Absolute Value Functions

The graph of the absolute value function looks like a "V", because it is a piecewise function of
two linear functions with opposite slopes. The "V" can be stretched and shifted up, down, to the left,
or to the right depending on the way the equation of the function is altered. The graph and equation
of the parent absolute value function are given below as a template.

(
x x < 0
f (x) = |x| =
x 0x

f(x)=|x|
y

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 There are two strategies to graph absolute value functions. The first one is to rewrite the function
as a piecewise function involving two linear equation using the techniques of 6.1, and then to graph
the two linear equations over their appropriate intervals using the techniques for graphing piecewise
functions given above.

The second technique is to take the parent absolute function graph and translate it appropriately.
A table below describes the effects on the functions graph of changing the functions equation. newline

Action done to equation Effect on graph Example equation

Multiplying by a constant c where |c| > 1 Makes the "V" more steep f (x) = 3|x|
Multiplying by a constant c where |c| < 1 Makes the "V" less steep f (x) = 21 |x|
Multiplying by a negative constant Reflects the graph across x-axis f (x) = |x|
Adding a positive constant outside the absolute value Shifts the graph up f (x) = |x| + 1
Adding a negative constant outside the absolute value Shifts the graph down f (x) = |x| 1
Adding a positive constant inside the absolute value Shifts the graph left f (x) = |x + 1|
Adding a negative constant outside of the absolute value Shifts the graph right f (x) = |x 1|

An example absolute value equation that has been rewritten as a piecewise function made of linear
equations is below. Either method of graphing the equation will result in the graph accompanying the
functions equation below.

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 (
(2)(x + 1) 3 = 2x + 2 3 = 2x 1 x < 1
f (x) = 2|x + 1| 3 =
2(x + 1) 3 = 2x 2 3 = 2x 5 1 x

f(x)=-2|x+1|-3
y

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Step Functions

As mentioned in 6.1, every piece of a step function is constant. Thus, the graph of a step function
is a collection of flat lines. It is important when graphing step functions (as with all piecewise func-
tions) to make sure every boundary point is filled in at the correct piece of the function but nowhere
else. See the example step function and its graph below.

3 x 1

f (x) = 1 1 < x < 1

3 1x

(1,3)

(-1,-3)

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Examples

Here are a few examples to test the concepts provided in this section. Answers can be found on
the following pages.

1. Sketch the function f (x) below. Label the boundary points of the intervals on the graph that
are part of the function.

2x
x 2
f (x) = x2 2 < x 2

x
1.2 2<x

2. Graph the function f (x) = 2|x + 1| 1.

3. Graph the function f (x) below. Label the boundary points of the intervals on the graph that
are part of the function.

2
x1
f (x) = 1 1 < x < 5

3 5x

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Solutions

These are the solutions to the questions on the previous page

1. Te graph is linear to the left of and including x = 2. It is quadratic, and thus parabolic, from
but not including x = 2 to x = 3 and at x = 3. It is exponential to the right of x = 3. but
1.2 is close to 1, so the exponential curve is very shallow. Thus, the closed dots are on the linear
graph at x = 2 and the parabola at x = 3. The rest of the boundary points are open dots.
Thus, f (2) = 2(2) = 4 and f (2) = 22 = 4. The final graph of f (x) is given below.

(2,2)

(-2,-4)

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2. The coefficient of the graph is 2, so the "V" is steeper than a parent absolute value graph. It
is also shifted down and to the left due to the constants being added outside and inside of the
absolute value respectively. The final graph of f (x) is given below.

f(x)=|x|
y

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3. This is a step function, so all pieces of the graph are flat lines. The closed circles are on the line
at 2 for x = 1 and the line at 3 for x = 5. The rest of the boundary points are open dots. Thus,
f (1) = 2 and f (5) = 3. The final graph of f (x) is given below.

(5,3)

(-1,2)
x

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