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4.6: Piecewise-defined Functions

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    40919
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    In certain situations a numerical relationship may follow one pattern of behavior for a while and then exhibit a different kind of behavior. In a situation such as this, it is helpful to use what is known as a piecewise defined function - a function that is defined in pieces.
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    In the above example of a piecewise defined function, we see that the \(y\) values for the negative values of \(x\) are defined differently than the \(y\) values for the positive values of \(x\)
    clipboard_ea68efb190d5e7d001f6d761a3b94ccf2.png
    Sometimes we are given a graph and need to write a piecewise description of the function it describes.
    clipboard_ed03fecdd1995fec456e9d276b42f4562.png
    The piecewise function pictured above could be described as follows:
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    Exercises 4.6
    Sketch a graph for each of the piecewise functions described below.
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    This page titled 4.6: Piecewise-defined Functions is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Richard W. Beveridge.

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