Question

If f(x)= 1 for [-7,-3), 3 for [-3,1), and 5 for [1,5), how do you find f(1)?

Answer 1

`f(1)=5`

Explanation:

If a function is given in such form with different formulas (here values) for different intervals of `x` first step is to assign the argument to one of the intervals:

We have to calculate `f(1)` so first we look where is `1`:

`1` is a positive number, so it is NOT in `[-7;-3)`

The second interval's end point is `1`, but the interval is open there (indicated by the round bracket), so `1` does NOT belong to this interval.

The third interval has a start point in `1`, and it is closed there (indicated by square bracket), so `1 in [1;5)`, so we use the third value as `f(1)`.

Answer: `f(1)=5`