Chapter 1: Problem 16
Sketch the graph of the function. $$ f(t)=|t|+t $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph is a line y=0 for t<0, and a line y=2t for t≥0, meeting at (0,0).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Function
The function given is \( f(t) = |t| + t \). This is a piecewise function, combining an absolute value, \(|t|\), with a linear component, \(t\). To sketch it, we need to consider how these two components interact for different values of \(t\).
02
Break Down the Absolute Value
The absolute value \(|t|\) affects the function differently depending on \(t\). For \(t \geq 0\), \(|t| = t\), and for \(t < 0\), \(|t| = -t\). This means the function \(f(t)\) can be rewritten piecewise as: \[ f(t) = \begin{cases} 2t, & \text{if } t \geq 0 \ 0, & \text{if } t < 0 \end{cases}\]
03
Identify Key Points
Consider specific values to get crucial points of the graph. For instance, at \(t = 0\), \(f(0) = 0\). For \(t > 0\), the function simplifies to \(f(t) = 2t\), so \(f(1) = 2\), \(f(2) = 4\), etc. For \(t < 0\), the function simplifies to \(f(t) = 0\), so \(f(-1) = 0\), \(f(-2) = 0\).
04
Sketch the Graph
Plot the points identified: start from \((0,0)\), which is a turning point. For \(t \geq 0\), draw a line with a slope of 2 passing through \((0,0)\) upwards. For \(t < 0\), the function is constant and equal to zero, forming a horizontal line at \(y=0\).
05
Analyze the Graph
Observe that the graph is a line running along the x-axis for negative \(t\) and rises with a slope of +2 for non-negative \(t\). The function has a corner at \(t=0\), where the slope changes abruptly.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Absolute Value Function
An absolute value function is a type of piecewise function that affects the input, or the "argument," by making sure its output value is non-negative. The absolute value of a number \(|t|\) represents its distance from zero on a number line, without considering its direction. It effectively "flips" any negative values into positive ones. For the function we are considering, \(|t|\), it works as follows:
- For \(t \geq 0\), \(|t| = t\), because positive numbers remain unchanged by the absolute value.
- For \(t < 0\), \(|t| = -t\), because negative numbers become positive when they are flipped by the absolute value operation.
Piecewise Function
Piecewise functions are functions that have different expressions based on the input value; they are defined in 'pieces' using multiple sub-functions. A great way to understand piecewise functions is to break them down according to the conditions given for the input variable. For example, in our function \(f(t) = |t| + t\), we derived it into a piecewise representation:
- For \(t \geq 0\), the function becomes \(f(t) = 2t\) because \(|t| + t = t + t = 2t\).
- For \(t < 0\), the function simplifies to \(f(t) = 0\) because \(|t| + t = (-t) + t = 0\).
Linear Function
A linear function is a function whose graph is a straight line. It has a general form of \(f(x) = mx + b\), where \(m\) represents the slope and \(b\) is the y-intercept. In the simplified parts of our piecewise function, the segment \(f(t) = 2t\) is a linear function:
- The slope, \(m=2\), indicates that for each horizontal step (increase in \(t\)), the function's value goes up by \(2\) units vertically. This steepness of the line is visually observable.
- The y-intercept is \(b=0\), meaning the line crosses the origin \((0,0)\). This occurs because no constant term is added in the equation \(2t\).