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Which of the following is the graph of the piecewise function

[tex]h(x)=\left\{
\begin{array}{cc}
-x^2+4, & x \leq -2 \\
-0.5x, & -2 \ \textless \ x \ \textless \ 2 \\
x^2-5, & x \geq 2
\end{array}
\right.[/tex]?

A. [Insert graph option A here]
B. [Insert graph option B here]
C. [Insert graph option C here]
D. [Insert graph option D here]


Sagot :

To graph the given piecewise function [tex]\( h(x) \)[/tex], we need to analyze and plot each piece of the function over its respective domain. Let's break this down step by step:

### 1. Understanding the Function Pieces and Their Domains
The function [tex]\( h(x) \)[/tex] is defined differently over three intervals. We need to consider each interval separately:

1. For [tex]\( x \leq -2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ h(x) = -x^2 + 4 \][/tex]

2. For [tex]\( -2 < x < 2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ h(x) = -0.5x \][/tex]

3. For [tex]\( x \geq 2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ h(x) = x^2 - 5 \][/tex]

### 2. Plotting Each Piece
a. For [tex]\( x \leq -2 \)[/tex]: [tex]\( h(x) = -x^2 + 4 \)[/tex]

This part of the function is a downward parabola opening downwards because of the [tex]\(-x^2\)[/tex] term. To plot this:

- Calculate points: [tex]\( x = -2 \rightarrow h(-2) = -(-2)^2 + 4 = -4 + 4 = 0 \)[/tex]
- As [tex]\( x \)[/tex] gets more negative, [tex]\( h(x) \)[/tex] will decrease.

b. For [tex]\( -2 < x < 2 \)[/tex]: [tex]\( h(x) = -0.5x \)[/tex]

This part of the function is a straight line with a slope of [tex]\(-0.5\)[/tex]. To plot this:

- Calculate points: [tex]\( x = -2 \rightarrow h(x) = -0.5(-2) = 1 \)[/tex]
- [tex]\( x = 2 \rightarrow h(2) = -0.5(2) = -1 \)[/tex]

c. For [tex]\( x \geq 2 \)[/tex]: [tex]\( h(x) = x^2 - 5 \)[/tex]

This part of the function is an upward parabola because of the [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex] term. To plot this:

- Calculate points: [tex]\( x = 2 \rightarrow h(2) = 2^2 - 5 = 4 - 5 = -1 \)[/tex]
- As [tex]\( x \)[/tex] gets larger, [tex]\( h(x) \)[/tex] will increase.

### 3. Combining the Plots
Now, we combine the three pieces, taking into account their respective domains.

- For [tex]\( x \leq -2 \)[/tex], plot the points and curve for [tex]\( h(x) = -x^2 + 4 \)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( -2 < x < 2 \)[/tex], plot the straight line connecting the points [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex]. Note the domain does not include the endpoints, so these should be open circles.
- For [tex]\( x \geq 2 \)[/tex], plot the points and curve for [tex]\( h(x) = x^2 - 5 \)[/tex].

### 4. Drawing the Graph
- For [tex]\( x \leq -2 \)[/tex], draw the downward parabola passing through [tex]\((-2, 0)\)[/tex].
- For [tex]\(-2 < x < 2 \)[/tex], draw a straight line from [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex] to [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex] with open circles at [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex] and [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex].
- For [tex]\( x \geq 2 \)[/tex], draw the upward parabola starting from [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex].

### 5. Confirming the Graph
Here is a summary of the points:

1. Downward Parabola: Starts at [tex]\((-2, 0)\)[/tex] and goes downward as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] decreases.
2. Straight Line: From [tex]\((-2, 1)\)[/tex] (not included) to [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex] (not included).
3. Upward Parabola: Starts from [tex]\((2, -1)\)[/tex] and goes upward as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] increases.

When you plot these, the graph should look like a combination of a downward parabola, a straight line, and an upward parabola, each fitting the designated domains.

This is the complete, detailed graphing procedure for the given piecewise function [tex]\( h(x) \)[/tex].