Greatest Integer/Absolute Value Functions

Students will be able to find greatest

integers and absolute values and
graph the both functions.
Greatest Integer

• Another special function that we will be

studying is the greatest integer function.
The greatest integer function of a real
number x, represented by [x], is the greatest
integer that is less than or equal to x.

• For example:

[4.25] = 4 [6] = 6 [5.99] = 5 [-2.3] = -3

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• Determine whether each statement below is
true or false for all real numbers x and y.
1. [x] + [y] = [x + y]
if x = 4.2 and y = 3.1, then x + y = 7.3
[4.2] + [3.1] = [7.3]
4 + 3 = 7 Is this correct?
if x = 4.7 and y = 3.9, then x + y = 8.6
[4.7] + [3.9] = [8.6]
4 + 3 = 8 Is this correct?
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Graph
The greatest integer function is sometimes
called a step function, because of the shape
of its graph.
y
y = [x] 2

Graph y = [x] x

-2

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Graph
What happens when we change the function?
First multiply the function by 2.
y
y = [x] 2

Graph y =2[x]
x
On calculator:
y = 2int(X) -2

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Graph
What happens when we change the function?
Next multiply the independent variable by 2.
y
y = [x] 2

Graph y =[2x]
x
On calculator:
y = int(2X) -2

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Absolute Value

• All integers are composed of two parts – the

size and the direction. For example, +5 is
five units in the positive direction; –5 is five
units in the negative direction.

• The absolute value {written like this: 5 }of

a number gives the size of the number
without the direction. For example, 5 = 5
and 5 = 5. The answer is always positive.

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Absolute Value
• Graphing the absolute y
value function. 6

Graph: y  x
4

x y 2

-4 4 x
-2 2
-5 5

0 0 -2

2 2 -4

4 4 -6

FHS Functions 8