Scribd
Upload
18 views

Math Assignment # Section 3.4 - Library of Functions Piecewise-Defined Functions

The document discusses piecewise-defined functions and provides examples of how they are used to model real-world scenarios like pricing structures and tax brackets. Piecewise functions allow a function to have different definitions over different intervals, providing flexibility and accuracy in mathematical modeling. Graphical transformations like vertical and horizontal shifts are also examined, showing how they differently affect the graph of a function.

Uploaded by

ammar elbedwehy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
18 views

Math Assignment # Section 3.4 - Library of Functions Piecewise-Defined Functions

The document discusses piecewise-defined functions and provides examples of how they are used to model real-world scenarios like pricing structures and tax brackets. Piecewise functions allow a function to have different definitions over different intervals, providing flexibility and accuracy in mathematical modeling. Graphical transformations like vertical and horizontal shifts are also examined, showing how they differently affect the graph of a function.

Uploaded by

ammar elbedwehy
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Qatar University

Math Assignment #
Section 3.4 - Library of functions; Piecewise-defined Functions
Real-Life Examples of Piecewise-Defined Functions

Piecewise-defined functions are particularly useful because they allow the expression of functions
that have different definitions or behaviors over different intervals in their domain. This ability is
crucial in both mathematical modeling and in practical applications, where different rules or
conditions apply in different scenarios. Here’s why they are so valuable:
1. Flexibility in Modeling: Piecewise functions can model systems or phenomena that
behave differently under different conditions, which many continuous functions cannot
accurately represent.
2. Simplicity and Precision: Each piece of the function can be tailored to fit precisely the
behavior of the system in a specific range, leading to more accurate models and easier
calculation or analysis.

1 Business Pricing Models


In many businesses, pricing strategies can be modeled using piecewise functions to reflect
different pricing tiers. For example, a shipping company might charge:

 $ 5 for packages weighing up to 1 kg ,


 $ 10 for packages between 1 kg and 5 kg,
 $ 20 for packages over 5 kg.
This can be expressed as a piecewise function:

{
5 if 0 ≤ w ≤1
p(w)= 10 if 1<w ≤ 5
20 if w >5

where p(w) is the price in dollars and w is the weight in kilograms. This model allows the
company to set prices that are fair and competitive while managing profitability across different
weight categories.
2. Tax Brackets

Tax systems often use piecewise functions to determine the amount of tax owed based on an
individual's income. For instance, a simplified version of a tax system might be:

 10 % for income up to $ 10,000,


 15 % for income between $ 10,000 and $ 40,000 ,
 25 % for income over $ 40,000 .
This can be modeled by a function T (i) where i represents annual income:

{
0.10i if i≤ 10,000
T (i)= 1000+ 0.15(i−10,000) if 10,000< i≤ 40,000
5500+ 0.25(i−40,000) if i> 40,000

This tax function reflects progressive taxation, where higher earnings are taxed at a higher rate, a
fundamental principle in many tax systems to ensure fairness and equitable contribution based on
ability to pay.

Section 3.5 - Graphing Technique: Transformations


 Vertical shifts affect the y-axis: Adding a constant value to a function (f(x) + k) shifts
the entire graph up (k positive) or down (k negative) on the y-axis.

 Horizontal shifts affect the x-axis: Adding a constant value inside the function
argument (f(x + h)) shifts the graph left (h positive) or right (h negative) on the x-axis.

These shifts target fundamentally different aspects of the function. A vertical shift modifies the
output for every input value, whereas a horizontal shift affects which input values produce the
same output.

Let's consider an example:


2
 f ( x )=x

Imagine you want to shift the graph of f(x) two units to the right. Horizontally shifting by two
units can be achieved by f (x+ 2). This function takes every input value (x), adds 2 to it, and then
squares the result. The graph moves two units to the right because it now uses shifted input
values.

Why They Can't Be Equivalent:


To see why these shifts cannot be equivalent, consider their effects on the function's graph:

 A vertical shift moves the entire graph up or down. For any function f (x), the shape of
the graph remains the same-only the y-coordinates are uniformly increased or decreased.
 A horizontal shift moves the entire graph left or right. This action changes when (at what
input x ) certain outputs are reached. The overall shape of the graph remains unchanged,
but the position of the graph along the x -axis is altered.

For example, take the simple function f (x)=x2 :

 Vertically shifting f (x) by 3 units up gives f (x)+3=x 2+3 . The graph remains a
parabola opening upwards, but every point is moved 3 units higher.

 Horizontally shifting f (x) by 3 units to the right gives f (x−3)=¿ . This results in the
same parabolic shape but shifted to the right, meaning that for any x , the squared result
occurs at a point that is 3 units further to the right compared to the original.

Figure 1 function y=x^2


Figure 2 function y=x^2+3

Figure 3 function y=(x+3)^2

These two operations change different aspects of the function's graph (y-values for
vertical shifts and x -values for horizontal shifts) and cannot produce the same function or
equivalent transformations on any of the standard library functions. Therefore, no vertical shift
can be used in place of a horizontal shift to obtain the same function, as they fundamentally alter
different parameters of the function's graph

You might also like