A dog groomer charges her clients by the weight of the dog. The following piecewise function represents the total charge, f(x)

, for a dog weighing x pounds.

f(x)=⎧⎩⎨⎪⎪2.5x if 0≤x≤203.5x if 20 <x≤50 5x if x>50


What would be the last point graphed on the first piece of the function, f(x)=2.5x

1 answer

The piecewise function for the dog groomer's charges is defined as follows:

  • \( f(x) = 2.5x \) if \( 0 \leq x \leq 20 \)
  • \( f(x) = 3.5x \) if \( 20 < x \leq 50 \)
  • \( f(x) = 5x \) if \( x > 50 \)

The first piece of the function, \( f(x) = 2.5x \), is valid for dogs weighing between 0 and 20 pounds, inclusive.

The last point graphed on this piece of the function occurs at the endpoint of the interval \( x = 20 \). To find the corresponding charge at this point, we can evaluate the function:

\[ f(20) = 2.5(20) = 50 \]

Thus, the last point graphed on the first piece of the function is \( (20, 50) \).