Copyright � 2003�2022 by Stan Brown, BrownMath.com Summary: You can graph piecewise functions on your TI-83/84 by using the TEST menu. To show the method, we�ll graph the function which is read �f of x equals x�+11 for x<0, 11−4x for x between 0 and 2 inclusive, and x�−3x+5 for x>2.� This particular function, as you�ll see, doesn�t have any gaps in it, but exactly the same technique works for piecewise functions that do have gaps. See also: How to Graph Functions on TI-83/84 Set-up: Dot ModeThe TI-83/84 likes to connect dots with continuous lines or curves where it can. But a piecewise function could have gaps legitimately, and therefore you want to select dot mode.
(You may need to switch between dot mode and connected mode, depending on the functions you�re graphing, because a function with a steeply sloping graph can be hard to see in dot mode.) Enter the FunctionThe general form you�re going for is (first piece)(first condition)+(second piece)(second condition)+... This works because in the TI programming language a true condition is equivalent to a 1 and a false condition to a zero. Therefore each branch of the function is turned on (multiplied by 1) in the proper region and turned off (multiplied by 0) everywhere else. You can have as many (piece)(condition) pairs as it takes to define the function, and you always need the parentheses around each piece and around each condition. If you have a compound condition like 0 ≤ x ≤ 2, you can use [ For our sample function, you want to get this onto the
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You already know how to do all of that except the inequality signs in the tests, and as you�ll see, that�s pretty easy.
If you have a color TI-84 with OS update 5.3 or greater, while you�re on the Display the GraphIt�s often helpful to start with [
You can zoom, trace, and find values and intercepts just as you would do for any other function. See the general graphing page for common problems. One particular problem with piecewise functions is that the TI-83/84 may try to connect the pieces. Make sure you are in dot mode, not connected mode: look on the Y= screen for three dots to the left of your equation. What�s New?
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