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Piecewise Linear Functions


A piecewise linear function is a function composed of straight line segments. It is a piecewise function whose pieces are affine (linear) functions.

The graph of a piecewise linear functions consists of line segments and rays.

We have already study two basic examples: step functions and continuos piecewise linear functions.

Piecewise Constant Functions
A piecewise function is a function that is defined by several subfunctions. If each piece is a constant function then the piecewise function is called Piecewise constant function or Step function.
Continuous Piecewise Linear Functions
A continuous piecewise linear function is defined by several segments or rays connected, without jumps between them.

A piecewise function could be piecewise continuous throughout its subdomains, but it could be not continuous on the entire domain. For example, a function can contains a jump discontinuity at some point.

Now we are going to study piecewise linear functions that do not need to be continuous. The graph of this kind of functions is made up of disconnected line segments. There are points on the graph of the function where a small change in x produces a sudden jump in the value of the function.

Piecewise linear functions: jump discontinuity | matematicasVisuales

We use discontinuos functions in lots of situations, for example, when we represent prices or taxes. It is not the same to buy one kilo of cafe than one thousand kilos: the price is not the same.

We remember that the graph of a linear function is an straight line.

The derivative of a linear function is a basic example of derivative, it is a constant function.

Polynomial functions and derivative (1): Linear functions
The derivative of a lineal function is a constant function.

The derivative of this function (the segment slope) is a step function (notice that these functions are picewise differentiable, there is no derivative at the extrems of the subintervals).

Piecewise linear functions: | matematicasVisuales

If we consider now the integral of this step function we get a continuous function. Each piece is a vertical translation of the original piece but the original function is not continuos at some points and the integral function is continuous. This is a consequence of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Piecewise linear functions: continuous integral function of a non continuous piecewise linear function | matematicasVisuales

If we change the lower limit of integration we get a vertical translation of the same integral function.

Piecewise linear functions: integral function vertical translation changing the lower limit of integration | matematicasVisuales

Now we are going to study the integral of a piecewise linear function.

The integral of a non-constant linear function is a quadratic function.

Polynomial functions and integral (1): Linear functions
It is easy to calculate the area under a straight line. This is the first example of integration that allows us to understand the idea and to introduce several basic concepts: integral as area, limits of integration, positive and negative areas.

Continuous piecewise linear functions: The integral of a non-constant linear function is a quadratic function | matematicasVisuales

You can play with a piecewise function f with two pieces:

The integral function F is made of several pieces that are quadratic (parabolas). It is a continuous function and piecewise differentiable.

But it is not smooth (it is not differentiable) where two pieces are connected.

Piecewise linear functions: But it is not smooth (it is not differentiable) where two pieces are connected | matematicasVisuales
Piecewise linear functions: But it is not smooth (it is not differentiable) where two pieces are connected | matematicasVisuales

If the jump gets smaller then the integral function F becomes more and more smooth. We already know that if f is continuos then F is more than continuos, it is differentiable.

Piecewise linear functions: If the jump gets smaller then the integral function becomes more and more smooth | matematicasVisuales

Now you can play with a piecewise function with three pieces:

The average value of a function f(x) over the interval [a,b] is given by

Piecewise linear functions:  average value of a function | matematicasVisuales

In the next applet you can play with this concept when f(x) is a piecewise linear function.

As these functions are not, in general, continuous, you can not use the Mean Value Theorem for integrals and you CAN NOT say that there is a number c in [a,b] such that

Linear Functions: average value of a function | matematicasVisuales

Look at this example:

Piecewise linear functions: average value of a function | matematicasVisuales

REFERENCES

Tom M. Apostol, Calculus, Second Edition, John Willey and Sons, Inc.
Gilbert Strang, Sums and Differences vs. Integrals and Derivatives, The College Mathematics Journal, January 1990. JSTOR.
Anthony J. Macula, The Point-Slope Formula Leads to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, The College Mathematics Journal, Mathematical Association of America, 1995.
Michael Spivak, Calculus, Third Edition, Publish-or-Perish, Inc.

MORE LINKS

Piecewise Linear Functions. Only one piece
As an introduction to Piecewise Linear Functions we study linear functions restricted to an open interval: their graphs are like segments.
Piecewise Constant Functions
A piecewise function is a function that is defined by several subfunctions. If each piece is a constant function then the piecewise function is called Piecewise constant function or Step function.
Continuous Piecewise Linear Functions
A continuous piecewise linear function is defined by several segments or rays connected, without jumps between them.
Polynomial Functions (1): Linear functions
Two points determine a stright line. As a function we call it a linear function. We can see the slope of a line and how we can get the equation of a line through two points. We study also the x-intercept and the y-intercept of a linear equation.
Powers with natural exponents (and positive rational exponents)
Power with natural exponents are simple and important functions. Their inverse functions are power with rational exponents (a radical or a nth root)
Polynomial Functions (2): Quadratic functions
Polynomials of degree 2 are quadratic functions. Their graphs are parabolas. To find the x-intercepts we have to solve a quadratic equation. The vertex of a parabola is a maximum of minimum of the function.
Polynomial Functions (3): Cubic functions
Polynomials of degree 3 are cubic functions. A real cubic function always crosses the x-axis at least once.
Polynomial Functions (4): Lagrange interpolating polynomial
We can consider the polynomial function that passes through a series of points of the plane. This is an interpolation problem that is solved here using the Lagrange interpolating polynomial.
Polynomial functions and derivative (2): Quadratic functions
The derivative of a quadratic function is a linear function, it is to say, a straight line.
Polynomial functions and derivative (3): Cubic functions
The derivative of a cubic function is a quadratic function, a parabola.
Polynomial functions and derivative (4): Lagrange polynomials (General polynomial functions)
Lagrange polynomials are polynomials that pases through n given points. We use Lagrange polynomials to explore a general polynomial function and its derivative.
Polynomial functions and derivative (5): Antidifferentiation
If the derivative of F(x) is f(x), then we say that an indefinite integral of f(x) with respect to x is F(x). We also say that F is an antiderivative or a primitive function of f.
Polynomial functions and integral (1): Linear functions
It is easy to calculate the area under a straight line. This is the first example of integration that allows us to understand the idea and to introduce several basic concepts: integral as area, limits of integration, positive and negative areas.
Polynomial functions and integral (2): Quadratic functions
To calculate the area under a parabola is more difficult than to calculate the area under a linear function. We show how to approximate this area using rectangles and that the integral function of a polynomial of degree 2 is a polynomial of degree 3.
Integral of powers with natural exponent
The integral of power functions was know by Cavalieri from n=1 to n=9. Fermat was able to solve this problem using geometric progressions.
Polynomial functions and integral (3): Lagrange polynomials (General polynomial functions)
We can see some basic concepts about integration applied to a general polynomial function. Integral functions of polynomial functions are polynomial functions with one degree more than the original function.
Definite integral
The integral concept is associate to the concept of area. We began considering the area limited by the graph of a function and the x-axis between two vertical lines.
Monotonic functions are integrable
Monotonic functions in a closed interval are integrable. In these cases we can bound the error we make when approximating the integral using rectangles.
Indefinite integral
If we consider the lower limit of integration a as fixed and if we can calculate the integral for different values of the upper limit of integration b then we can define a new function: an indefinite integral of f.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (1)
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus tell us that every continuous function has an antiderivative and shows how to construct one using the integral.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (2)
The Second Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is a powerful tool for evaluating definite integral (if we know an antiderivative of the function).
Archimedes' Method to calculate the area of a parabolic segment
Archimedes show us in 'The Method' how to use the lever law to discover the area of a parabolic segment.