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x = [x] + {x}
In the nutshell, we can use any of the following interpretations of greatest integer function :
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f (x) = [x] = n;
if
nx<n+1 nZ
Working rules for evaluating greatest integer function are two step process :
1. If x is an integer, then [x] = x.
2. If x is not an integer, then [x] evaluates to greatest integer less than x.
F or
2 x < 1,
F or
1 x < 0,
f (x) = [x] = 1
F or
0 x < 1,
f (x) = [x] = 0
F or
1 x < 2,
f (x) = [x] = 1
F or
2 x < 3,
f (x) = [x] = 2
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f (x) = [x] = 2
This function is known as step function as values of function steps by "1" as we switch values of x from
one interval to another. We see that there is no restriction on values of "x" and as such its domain has the
interval equal to that of real numbers. On the other hand, the step function or greatest integer function
evaluates only to integer values. It means that the range of the function is set of integers, denoted by "Z".
Hence,
Domain = R
Range = Z
GIF is not a periodic function. Though function is dened for all real x, but graph is not continous. It
breaks at integral values of x.
Example 1
Problem :
f (x) = p
Solution :
1
[x]
[x] > 0
[x] <
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The value of
is 3.14. Here, [x] returns integral value. Clearly, it can assume a maximum value
of 3. But, GIF returns integer value n for x<n+1. The inequality, therefore, has solution given
by :
x<4
Domain
= (, 4)
1:
[x] = x
2:
[x + y] = [x] + [y]
For example, let x = -2.27 and y = 0.63. Then,
4:
[x] + [x] = 0;
xZ
[2] + [2] = 2 2 = 0
We can use this identity to test whether x is an integer or not?
3:
[x] + [x] = 1;
x
/Z
[2.7] + [2.7] = 2 3 = 1
Example 2
Problem :
f (x) =
Solution :
1
[x 2]
Given function is in rational form having GIF as its denominator. The denominator
should not evaluate to zero for real values of x. The domain of GIF is real number set R. But, we
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know that GIF evaluates to zero in an interval which is spread over unit value. In order to know
this interval, we determine interval of x for which [x-2] is zero.
[x 2] = 0
We can write this function as :
[x + (2)] = 0
Using property [x+y] = [x] + [y], provided one of x and y is an integer. This is the case here,
[x] = 2
x [2, 3)
= R [2, 3)
{x} = x [x]
This function returns fraction part of the number, when x is not an integer. This exception of nonintegral x is important. Zero is not a fraction. For integer "x", the function evaluates to zero :
{5} = 5 [5] = 5 5 = 0
{5} = 5 [5] = 5 + 5 = 0
Though zero is not a fraction, but FPF evaluates to zero for integral values. We should keep this exception
in mind, while working with FPF. Let us, now, work out with numbers that we earlier used for evaluating
greatest integer function :
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For
2 x < 1,
1 x < 0,
For
0 x < 1,
For
1 x < 2,
For
2 x < 3,
We see that there is no restriction on values of x and as such its domain has the interval equal to that of
real numbers. The fractional part function can only evaluate to non-negative values between 0y<1. Hence,
Domain
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=R
Range
=0y<1
FPF is a periodic function. The values are repeated with a period of 1. Further, function is dened for
all real x, but graph is not continous. It breaks at integral values of x.
function as [x) or "(x)". Some authors reserve "(x)" for near integer function. It is not important as we
can always specify what we mean by qualifying the symbol explicitly. We interpret LIF as :
Clearly, least integer function returns a value, which is the integral ceiling of the number. For
this reason, least integer function is also known as ceiling function. Working rules for nding
least integer function are : If x is an integer, then [x) = x. If x is not an integer, then [x)
evaluates to least integer greater than x.
The value of f(x) is an integer (n) such that :
f (x) = n;
if
n1<xn
nZ
F or
3 < x 2,
f (x) = [x) = 2
F or
2 < x 1,
f (x) = [x) = 1
F or
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1 < x 0,
f (x) = [x) = 0
F or
0 < x 1,
f (x) = [x) = 1
F or
1 < x 2,
f (x) = [x] = 2
2.
1.
We see that there is no restriction on values of x and as such its domain has the interval equal to
that of real numbers. On the other hand, the least integer function evaluates only to integer values. It
means that the range of the function is set of integers, denoted by "Z". Hence,
Domain
Range
=R
=Z
GIF is not a periodic function. Though function is dened for all real x, but graph is not continous.
It breaks at integral values of x.
1:
[x) = x
2:
[x + y) = [x) + [y)
For example, let x = 2.27 and y = 0.63. Then,
4:
[x) + [x) = 0;
xZ
[2) + [2) = 2 2 = 0
We can use this identity to test whether x is an integer or not?
3:
x
/Z
[2.7) + [2.7) = 3 2 = +1
f (x) = (x) = n;
f (x) = n + 1;
if
if
n x n + 1/2,
n + 1/2 < x n + 1,
nZ
nZ
Examples :
(2.3) = 2,
(2.3) = 2,
(2.6) = 3
(2.6) = 3
5 Exercise
Exercise 1
(Solution on p. 10.)
f (x) =
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x2 [x]
10
x2 [x] 0
Evaluation of this expression for integer values of x is easy. We know that [x] evaluates to x for all
integer values of x :
[x] = x;
xZ
[x] = x2 ;
2
x2 [x] = 0;
xZ
xZ
interval 1x<2. Here, [x] evaluates to 1 and its square is 1, which is less than or equal to
x2
. On the
other hand, in negative interval -2x<-1, [x] evaluates to -2 and its square is 4, which is equal to or
greater than
x2 .
2
x>0
x>0
[x] x2 ;
[x] x2 ;
Note that we have included equal to sign for both intervals of x. Equal to sign is appropriate when x
is integer. For x=0, expression evaluates to 0. It means expression is non-negative for all non-negative
x. But expression also evaluates to 0 for negative integers. Hence, domain of given function is :
Domain
Graphical analysis
= (0, ) {n; n N }
y = [x] and y = [x] as in the rst and second gures. Finally, we superimpose y = x2 on the
2
2
graph y = [x] as shown in the third gure. Noting values of x for which value of x is greater than or
2
equal to [x] , the domain of the function is :
We draw
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11
Domain
Domain
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= (0, ) {n; n N }