A local utilities department is responsible for billing its town's citizens for their water usage each month. The amount of each household's bill is determined by the number of gallons of water they use monthly. For example, If a household uses between 1000 and 2000 gallons of water, their bill will be $57. However, if they use between 2001 gallons and 3000 gallons, their bill will be $72. Which type of function would best model this situation: a step function or a piecewise function? Explain.

Question

A local utilities department is responsible for billing its town's citizens for their water usage each month.  The amount of each household's bill is determined by the number of gallons of water they use monthly.  For example, If a household uses between 1000 and 2000 gallons of water, their bill will be $57.  However, if they use between 2001 gallons and 3000 gallons, their bill will be $72.  Which type of function would best model this situation:  a step function or a piecewise function?  Explain.