Question

Piecewise function help? Evaluate the piecewise function at the indicated values from the domain:

| |x|, if x < -1
f(x) = { x^2, if -1 <(or equal to) x < 4 at x = 2
| -x, if x >(or equal to) 4

Answer 1

(a.) f(-2) = 2
(b.) f(-2) = -4
(c.) f(-2) = -2
(d.) f(-2) = 4

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure this has something to do with plugging in the numbers to see which statements are true but I'm not sure

Answer 3

dont believe a is correct. 2 is bigger than -1

Answer 4

why is c correct though

Answer 5

I am having hard time figuring out the question, but should you just plug in a number and that will give you answer? -2^2=4

Answer 6

you've claimed 3 answers so far and never provided any reasoning why makayla, please stop commenting on this

Answer 7

Explain your reasoning then

Answer 8

okay you wrote -2^2=4 but theres a - in it so -2^2=-4

Answer 9

@JoeJoldin
What function of the three do you use for x = -2
?

Answer 10

Which one fits the right "parameter"

Answer 11

All you have to do is plug in x and if its true, then its correct.

Answer 12

i'm down to b or c, still not sure which is which

Answer 13

b

Answer 14

does anybody else have an answer?

Answer 15

No, -2^2=4 not -4

Answer 16

so the answer is D? @TMA76

Answer 17

@JoeJoldin What function of the three do you use for x = -2 ?

Answer 18

The first??

Answer 19

@adamaero

Answer 20

yes, so f(-2) = ?

Answer 21

but why do you have x = 2
when you posted the whole question?

Answer 22

f(-2) = -4? I'm not sure how this is leading me to the answer

Answer 23

@adamaero

Answer 24

if x = -2, you said to use the first function
which is the absolute value of x or |x|
|-2| = 2

BUT
in you original question you put x = 2
if it is x = 2, then you need to pick a different function

Do you understand what I mean by "function?"

Answer 25

No, I'm not understanding this, do you know what the answer is and can explain it? @adamaero

Answer 26

forget about your specific problem for a second and take a look see:
http://www.webgraphing.com/images/examples_piecewise_compound/ex2.gif

Answer 27

see it?

Answer 28

also, it may have been confusing when Makayla5646 spoke

-2^2 = 4 (so it DOES equal 4)
squared numbers loose their negative sign:
-2*-2= (-1)(-1)(2)(2) = (1)(4) = 4

although
-2^3 = -8

-x^(odd number) = -x*x*x...etc
-x^(even number) = x*x*x*x...etc (negative sign forget)

Answer 29

so the answer is D: f(-2) = 4 ?

Answer 30

@adamaero

Answer 31

nope, did you see the unrelated picture I posted?

Answer 32

Yes and it didn't help me understand the answer

Answer 33

you didn't understand the graph with piecewise?

Answer 34

No. If D's not the answer and A doesn't work is it B or C? @adamaero

Answer 35

Ok, forget about your specific problem. Once you understand how piecewise graphs work everything else will click
I will break this unrelated picture down into three parts:
http://www.webgraphing.com/images/examples_piecewise_compound/ex2.gif

Answer 36

the first line, farthest to the left is the line of x + 3 (but only a part of it~ a piece)

Answer 37

Forget it, closing the question and asking again since nobody is helping.

Answer 38

ok. I don't give answers. I will guide you to the correct solution or check your answer.
Only your effort to want to learn what's really going on will make the difference in understanding the concept here