In the United States, personal income taxes are paid according to a specific scale. For example, individuals who earn a yearly salary between $31,000 and $31,150 must pay $4229 in taxes. Individuals who earn a yearly salary between $41,000 and $41,150 must pay $6381 in taxes. (Source: irs.gov)

Which type of function would best model this situation: a step function or a piecewise function? Explain.

Question

In the United States, personal income taxes are paid according to a specific scale.  For example, individuals who earn a yearly salary between $31,000 and $31,150 must pay $4229 in taxes.  Individuals who earn a yearly salary between $41,000 and $41,150 must pay $6381 in taxes.  (Source:  irs.gov)

Which type of function would best model this situation:  a step function or a piecewise function?  Explain.

retireed · Answer

This is an interesting question graph the data....

     salary along the x-axis   and taxes paid along the y-axis   see what you think.

danjs · Answer

both work , step function is piecewise defined, but will look like the data from this prob
steps

retireed · Answer

Salary	Taxes Paid
31000	4229
31150	4229
41000	6381
41150	6381