Chapter 17: Activities
308
Graphing Piecewise Functions
Problem
The fine for speeding on a road with a speed limit of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) is 50; plus 5 for
each kph from 46 to 55 kph; plus 10 for each kph from 56 to 65 kph; plus 20 for each kph from 66
kph and above. Graph the piecewise function that describes the cost of the ticket.
The fine (Y) as a function of kilometers per hour (X) is:
,
which simplifies to:
Procedure
1. Press
z
. Select
Func
and
Classic
.
2. Press
o
. Turn off all functions and stat plots. Enter the
Y=
function to describe the fine. Use
the
TEST
menu operations to define the piecewise function. Set the graph style for
Y1
to
í
(dot).
3. Press
p
and set
Xmin=
L
2
,
Xscl=10
,
Ymin=
L
5
,
Yscl=10
and
@
X=1
. Ignore
Xmax
and
Ymax
;
they are set in step 4.
