Give two other examples of step functions that arise in everyday life.
Answer to Problem 62E
Function involving this sort of “milestone” system will be graphed as a step function.
Explanation of Solution
Given information:
The functions in Example 10 and Exercise 61(a)are called step functions because their graphs look like stairs. Give two other examples of step functions that arise in everyday life.
Calculation:
Consider the graph of the number of runners who have crossed the finish line in a race vs. time.
In this graph, shown here in the range 10
Here’s another example: at some companies, the salary a worker is paid depends directly on the amount of time that they have spent at that comapany. A grapg of this will also look like a step function:
From the graph we see that there are six distinct salary levels, all increasing as an employee hits a certain number of years spent at the firm.
Hence, any function involving this sort of “milestone” system will be graphed as a step function.
Chapter 1 Solutions
Single Variable Calculus: Concepts and Contexts, Enhanced Edition
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- Calculus: Early TranscendentalsCalculusISBN:9781319050740Author:Jon Rogawski, Colin Adams, Robert FranzosaPublisher:W. H. FreemanCalculus: Early Transcendental FunctionsCalculusISBN:9781337552516Author:Ron Larson, Bruce H. EdwardsPublisher:Cengage Learning