1Real World Application of Greatest Integer FunctionStep functions are used widely in everyday life, especially in the world of business. Utilities (gas, electric, water, etc,) are often billed according to a step function. So are taxes. Try graphing this one.

Example 5 Here are first-class mail rates for packages from the US Postal Services web site:

Graph the function f(x) = first-class postage for a package weighing x ounces

Domain of f

Range of f

2Graphing Piecewise Functions

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Definition: A function that is defined by different rules on different parts of its domain is called a piecewise-defined function.

Piecewise Functions

3x y = f(x)

-2

-1

-0.5

0

.5 domain of f:

1range of f:

2

Example 1

Note: Piecewise-defined functions are always read from the right to the left.

Example 2

x y = f(x)

-2

-1

0

1

2 domain of f:

3

4range of f:

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