SOLUTION: I need to know a handful of points to plot this function on a graph (just enough to sort of show the shape of the line). I really need help here, I have no idea what to do. http:/

Algebra ->  Rational-functions -> SOLUTION: I need to know a handful of points to plot this function on a graph (just enough to sort of show the shape of the line). I really need help here, I have no idea what to do. http:/      Log On


   

Question 701627: I need to know a handful of points to plot this function on a graph (just enough to sort of show the shape of the line). I really need help here, I have no idea what to do.
http://s1272.beta.photobucket.com/user/sledd144618/media/Algebra634_zpsf6d7f871.png.html
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
you are given:
f%28x%29=2 if -infinity%3Cx%3C=-2
f%28x%29=%281%2F2%29x%2B3 if -2%3Cx%3C=1
f%28x%29=-%287%2F8%29x%2B35%2F8 if 1%3Cx%3Cinfinity

f%28x%29=2 this is a line parallel to x-axis and has y-intercept at (0,2)
since you are given that -infinity%3Cx%3C=-2 you can find one more point choosing x less than -2 and draw that line all way from certain value of -x to x=-2 than stop; that will be at point (-2,2
take second line and choose two values for x so that -2%3Cx%3C=1
since this line is connected to the first line, use the point (-2,2
and find one more point using x=1
f%28x%29=%281%2F2%29%2A1%2B3
f%28x%29=%281%2F2%29%2B3
f%28x%29=3.5
the second point is (1,3.5)
plot these points and connect them with a line segment

third part is f%28x%29=-%287%2F8%29x%2B35%2F8 or f%28x%29=-0.875x%2B4.375 if 1%3Cx%3Cinfinity
here you start with a point (1,3.5) last one you got and find one more point using any x%3E1
let x=10
f%28x%29=-0.875%2A30%2B4.375
f%28x%29=-26.25%2B4.375
f%28x%29=-21.875
the point is (30,-21.875)
plot this point and draw a line from a point (1,3.5) and passes through (30,-21.875)


+graph%28+600%2C600%2C+-15%2C+15%2C+-15%2C+15%2C+2%2C+%281%2F2%29x%2B3%2C-0.875x%2B4.375%29+

from this graph where you see all three lines you need to take parts: from a line f%28x%29=2 (red) draw part all way from the left to the point (-2,2),
then got to second line f%28x%29=%281%2F2%29x%2B3 (green) and draw a line segment which connects points (-2,2) and (1,3.5),
then go to third line f%28x%29=-%287%2F8%29x%2B35%2F8 (blue) and draw from the point (1,3.5) all way down to the right
that will be your solution, the piecewise function