f(x) = ax + 3 if x > 2,
f(x) = x + 5 if -2 <= x <= 2,
f(x) = 8x + b if x < -2
Find a + b if the piecewise function is continuous (which means that its graph can be drawn without lifting your pencil from the paper).
+33659 To find the value of a that makes the curve continuous at the upper intersection, set x = 2 in the upper two expressions and equate them:
i.e. a*(2) + 3 = (2) + 5
or 2a+3 = 7
a = 2
Similarly to find the value of b that makes the curve continuous at -2, set
(-2) + 5 = 8*(-2) + b
I'll let you finish.
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