Math Problem Statement

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Sketch the graph of the step functions in Exercises 31-34. The functions involve floor functions ⌊x⌋.

Solution

The image you provided contains problems involving step functions (also called the "floor" function, denoted by ⌊x⌋, which gives the greatest integer less than or equal to xx). Let’s analyze and solve each problem:

Problem 31:

g(x)=xg(x) = -\lfloor x \rfloor

  • This function takes the floor of xx (the greatest integer less than or equal to xx) and then negates it.
  • Example values:
    • g(1.5)=1.5=1g(1.5) = -\lfloor 1.5 \rfloor = -1
    • g(0.7)=0.7=0g(-0.7) = -\lfloor -0.7 \rfloor = 0 (because 0.7=1\lfloor -0.7 \rfloor = -1, and negating gives 1)

The graph will look like a step function that steps downward as xx increases, with discontinuities at integer values.

Problem 32:

g(x)=4xg(x) = 4\lfloor x \rfloor

  • This function multiplies the floor of xx by 4.
  • Example values:
    • g(1.8)=41.8=4×1=4g(1.8) = 4\lfloor 1.8 \rfloor = 4 \times 1 = 4
    • g(0.3)=40.3=4×(1)=4g(-0.3) = 4\lfloor -0.3 \rfloor = 4 \times (-1) = -4

This graph will also be step-like, but the height of each step will be 4 times the value of x\lfloor x \rfloor.

Problem 33:

g(x)=x1g(x) = \lfloor x \rfloor - 1

  • This is the floor function minus 1.
  • Example values:
    • g(2.9)=2.91=21=1g(2.9) = \lfloor 2.9 \rfloor - 1 = 2 - 1 = 1
    • g(1.2)=1.21=21=3g(-1.2) = \lfloor -1.2 \rfloor - 1 = -2 - 1 = -3

The graph will behave like the regular floor function but shifted downward by 1 unit.

Problem 34:

g(x)=x3g(x) = \lfloor x - 3 \rfloor

  • This is the floor of x3x - 3, which represents a horizontal shift of the floor function by 3 units to the right.
  • Example values:
    • g(4.5)=4.53=1.5=1g(4.5) = \lfloor 4.5 - 3 \rfloor = \lfloor 1.5 \rfloor = 1
    • g(2)=23=1=1g(2) = \lfloor 2 - 3 \rfloor = \lfloor -1 \rfloor = -1

The graph of this function will be like the basic floor function but shifted to the right by 3 units.


Would you like detailed graph sketches for each of these functions, or further explanations?

Here are 5 relative questions to explore further:

  1. How does adding or subtracting a constant outside the floor function affect the graph?
  2. What happens when you multiply the floor function by a constant (as in problem 32)?
  3. How would the graph of g(x)=x+2g(x) = \lfloor x + 2 \rfloor differ from g(x)=x2g(x) = \lfloor x - 2 \rfloor?
  4. Can you describe how the discontinuities in step functions relate to their floor values?
  5. How would the function g(x)=2x+3g(x) = -2\lfloor x \rfloor + 3 behave?

Tip: Step functions always produce discontinuities at integer values of xx. Understanding the behavior around these points is key to graphing them properly.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Step Functions
Floor Functions
Graphing
Piecewise Functions

Formulas

g(x) = -⌊x⌋
g(x) = 4⌊x⌋
g(x) = ⌊x⌋ - 1
g(x) = ⌊x - 3⌋

Theorems

Floor function properties
Graphing step functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12