Step Functions — Quiz

Question 8 • Algebra I

Which is the graph of y is equal to lceil x rceil minus 2 ?

Answer

Image with description On a coordinate plane, a step graph has horizontal segments that are each 1 unit long. The left end of each segment is an open circle. The right end of each segment is a closed circle. The left-most segment goes from (negative 5, negative 5) to (negative 4, negative 5). Each segment is 1 unit higher and 1 unit farther to the right than the previous segment. The right-most segment goes from (4, 4) to (5, 4).

Image with description On a coordinate plane, a step graph has horizontal segments that are each 1 unit long. The left end of each segment is a closed circle. The right end of each segment is an open circle. The left-most segment goes from (negative 5, negative 5) to (negative 4, negative 5). Each segment is 1 unit higher and 1 unit farther to the right than the previous segment. The right-most segment goes from (4, 4) to (5, 4).

Image with description On a coordinate plane, a step graph has horizontal segments that are each 1 unit long. The left end of each segment is a closed circle. The right end of each segment is an open circle. The left-most segment goes from (negative 3, negative 5) to (negative 2, negative 5). Each segment is 1 unit higher and 1 unit farther to the right than the previous segment. The right-most segment goes from (4, 2) to (5, 2).

Image with description On a coordinate plane, a step graph has horizontal segments that are each 1 unit long. The left end of each segment is an open circle. The right end of each segment is a closed circle. The left-most segment goes from (negative 4, negative 5) to (negative 3, negative 5). Each segment is 1 unit higher and 1 unit farther to the right than the previous segment. The right-most segment goes from (4, 3) to (5, 3).

Explanation

The ceiling function ⌈x⌉ equals an integer n when n − 1 < x ≤ n, so each step is open on the left and closed on the right. Subtracting 2 shifts every step down 2 units; for example, when −4 < x ≤ −3, ⌈x⌉ − 2 = −3 − 2 = −5. Choice D has that interval and step height, with the matching open-left, closed-right pattern.

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