Question

HELP!!!!!!!

Consider the function:



f(x) =



What are these values?

Answer 1

The output values of f(-3), f(-1), and f(3) in the piece-wise function are -5/2, 3/2, and 3/4 respectively.

To determine the output value of f(-3), f(-1), and f(3) in the piece-wise function, we simply plug in the values of x in the piece that is within the domain.

To solve for f(-3), plug x = -3 into the piece with the domain of x ≤ -1:

f( x ) = 7/2 + 2x

Pug in x = -3:

f( -3 ) = 7/2 + 2(-3)

f( -3 ) = -5/2

To solve for f(-1), plug x = -1 into the piece with the domain of x ≤ -1:

f( x ) = 7/2 + 2x

Pug in x = -1:

f( -3 ) = 7/2 + 2(-1)

f( -3 ) = 7/2 - 2

f( -3 ) = 3/2

To solve for f(3), plug x = 3 into the piece with the domain of x ≥ 3:

f( x ) = (1/4)x

Pug in x = 3:

f( 3 ) = (1/4) × 3

f( 3 ) = 3/4

Therefore, the values for f(-3), f(-1), and f(3) are -5/2, 3/2, and 3/4 respectively.

Answer 2

f(-3) = -5/2

f(-1) = 3/2

f(3) = 3/4

Explanation:

To find the values, we just have to replace by the values given (-3, -1, 3). Since there are different definitions of the function depending on the range of x, we just have to pick the right one before replacing x by its value.

x = -3

When x ≤ -1, the function is 7/2 + 2x

So, x = -3 is certainly ≤ -1, so....

f(-3) = 7/2 + 2 (-3) = 7/2 - 6 = 7/2 - 12/2 = -5/2

x = -1

When x ≤ -1, the function is 7/2 + 2x

So, we do the same calculation:

f(-1) = 7/2 + 2 (-1) = 7/2 - 2 = 7/2 - 4/2 = 3/2

x = 3

When x ≥ 3, the function is defined as: (1/4)x or x/4. So,

f(3) = 3/4