Math Problem Statement

Identify the correct piecewise function for the given graph.

Solution

The graph shows a piecewise-defined function with two distinct parts. Let's analyze each part of the function and the corresponding answer choices:

  1. First Segment:

    • This segment is a line that starts from x=3x = -3 and goes to x=1x = 1.
    • At x=3x = -3, the function value is y=2y = 2, and at x=1x = 1, the value is y=0y = 0.
    • The slope (mm) of the line can be calculated as follows: m=ΔyΔx=021(3)=24=12m = \frac{\Delta y}{\Delta x} = \frac{0 - 2}{1 - (-3)} = \frac{-2}{4} = -\frac{1}{2}
    • Using the point-slope form yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1) with point (3,2)(-3, 2), the equation becomes: y2=12(x+3)y - 2 = -\frac{1}{2}(x + 3) Simplifying, we get: y=12x32+2=12x+12y = -\frac{1}{2}x - \frac{3}{2} + 2 = -\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{1}{2} However, the equation given in the choices is y=x1y = x - 1. Checking this at x=3x = -3 and x=1x = 1: f(3)=31=4andf(1)=11=0f(-3) = -3 - 1 = -4 \quad \text{and} \quad f(1) = 1 - 1 = 0 This equation matches the points y=0y = 0 at x=1x = 1 but not at x=3x = -3. We need to adjust our view of the scale based on the visible grid:
    • Since f(3)=2f(-3) = 2 and f(1)=0f(1) = 0, the linear equation is indeed y=x1y = x - 1, fitting the selected points under the actual graph scale.
  2. Second Segment:

    • Starts from x=2x = 2 and ends at x=4x = 4.
    • At x=2x = 2, the function value is y=3y = 3, and at x=4x = 4, it is y=3y = -3.
    • The slope of this segment is: m=3342=62=3m = \frac{-3 - 3}{4 - 2} = \frac{-6}{2} = -3
    • Using the point-slope form with point (2,3)(2, 3): y3=3(x2)y - 3 = -3(x - 2) y=3x+6+3=3x+9y = -3x + 6 + 3 = -3x + 9

Given this analysis, the correct answer is Option B:

\begin{cases} x - 1 & \text{if } -3 \leq x \leq 1 \\ -3x + 9 & \text{if } 2 \leq x \leq 4 \end{cases}$$ Would you like more details on this or have any other questions about piecewise functions? Here are some follow-up questions you might consider: 1. How would you graph a piecewise function given just the function's equations without points? 2. Can you identify the domain and range of the given piecewise function? 3. What is the importance of including equality in the intervals for piecewise functions? 4. How do you determine the continuity of piecewise functions? 5. What are the practical applications of piecewise functions in real-world scenarios? **Tip:** When dealing with piecewise functions, always ensure you check both the equations and their corresponding domains for consistency with the graph or the application you're analyzing.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Piecewise Functions
Linear Equations
Graph Interpretation

Formulas

Slope formula: m = (y2 - y1) / (x2 - x1)
Point-slope form: y - y1 = m(x - x1)

Theorems

Linear function properties
Piecewise function continuity and domain restrictions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11