document.write( "Question 1200349: Evaluate the piecewise defined function at the indicated values.\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "f(x) = {4x if x<-4
\n" ); document.write( " { x+2 If -4<_ x <_ 5
\n" ); document.write( " { (x-5)^2 if x > 5\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "f(-5)=
\n" ); document.write( "f(-4)=
\n" ); document.write( "f(4)=
\n" ); document.write( "f(5)=
\n" ); document.write( "f(8)=
\n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #834483 by math_tutor2020(3817)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

\n" ); document.write( "Answers:
\n" ); document.write( "f(-5)= -20
\n" ); document.write( "f(-4)= -2
\n" ); document.write( "f(4)= 6
\n" ); document.write( "f(5)= 7
\n" ); document.write( "f(8)= 9\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Explanation:\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Piecewise functions are a Frankenstein of sorts because they have multiple functions glued together.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Another way to look at it is that the piecewise function has split identities.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The input x will determine which piece to use.
  • If \"x+%3C+-4\", then \"f%28x%29+=+4x\"
  • If \"-4+%3C=+x+%3C=+5\", then \"f%28x%29+=+x%2B2\"
  • If \"x+%3E+5\", then \"f%28x%29+=+%28x-5%29%5E2\"
If the input is x = -5, then we go for the interval \"x+%3C+-4\". Draw out a number line to see why this is the case.
\n" ); document.write( "This means we pick the first piece.
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28x%29+=+4x\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28-5%29+=+4%28-5%29\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28-5%29+=+-20\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "If the input is x = -4, then we go for the interval \"-4+%3C=+x+%3C=+5\"
\n" ); document.write( "This time we go for the 2nd piece.
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28x%29+=+x%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28-4%29+=+-4%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28-4%29+=+-2\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We stick with the 2nd piece for the input x = 4, since it is also in the interval \"-4+%3C=+x+%3C=+5\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28x%29+=+x%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%284%29+=+4%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%284%29+=+6\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Same goes for x = 5
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28x%29+=+x%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%285%29+=+5%2B2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%285%29+=+7\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The last input x = 8 will involve the third piece, since we're now in the interval \"x+%3E+5\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%28x%29+=+%28x-5%29%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%288%29+=+%288-5%29%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%288%29+=+%283%29%5E2\"
\n" ); document.write( "\"f%288%29+=+9\"\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "This is what the piecewise graph looks like
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\n" ); document.write( "The first piece 4x is in red. It is graphed only when \"x+%3C+-4\"
\n" ); document.write( "The second piece x+2 is in green. It is graphed only when \"-4+%3C=+x+%3C=+5\"
\n" ); document.write( "The third piece (x-5)^2 is in blue. It is graphed only when \"x+%3E+5\"\r
\n" ); document.write( "
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "There are open holes at (-4, -16) and (5, 0)
\n" ); document.write( "The open holes are not part of the graph. Think of them as potholes in the road.
\n" ); document.write( "There are closed filled in endpoints at (-4, -2) and (5, 7)\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I recommend either Desmos or GeoGebra as two graphing options.
\n" ); document.write( "Here's the link to the interactive Desmos graph
\n" ); document.write( "https://www.desmos.com/calculator/jkfomczjuz
\n" ); document.write( "This will allow you to zoom in/out, move the window around, etc.
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