Piecewise

Graphing

Example 1

Make a graph of the function:

PWGraphingEx1-1

Step 1. Break the function into its separate functions and domain intervals.

This function is actually 3 different functions combined. The key point here is that the inequalities for x tell which function is on which interval of the domain. In other words, if x is less than or equal to -2, then f(x) = 2x + 1. If x is between -2 and 1 (including 1, but not -2), then f(x) = 3. If x is greater than 1, then f(x) = -3x - 2.

Step 2. Graph each function on the same coordinate plane using a pencil.