OpenStax-CNX module: m17290 1

Transformation of graphs by
greatest integer function ∗

Sunil Kumar Singh

This work is produced by OpenStax-CNX and licensed under the
Creative Commons Attribution License 2.0†

Drawings of graphs resulting from transformation applied by greatest integer function (GIF) follow the
same reasoning and steps as deliberated for modulus operator. Before, we proceed to draw graphs for
dierent function forms, we need to recapitulate the graph of greatest integer function (GIF) and also infer
thereupon few of the values of GIF around zero.

Graph of GIF

Figure 1: The GIF returns integral values.

∗ Version 1.5: Aug 19, 2008 10:44 am -0500

† http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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For clarity, we apply circular symbols : solid circle to denote inclusion of point and empty circle to denote
exclusion of point. Using solid circle is optional, but helps to identify points on the graph. The values of
GIF around zero are (we can write these expressions by observing graph. A bit of practice to write down
these intervals helps.) :

[x] = −3; −3≤x< −2

[x] = −2; −2≤x< −1

[x] = −1; −1≤x<0

[x] = 0; 0≤x<1

[x] = 1; 1≤x<2

[x] = 2; 2≤x<3

[x] = 3; 3≤x<4
Important point to note is that lower integer in the interval is included and higher integer is excluded.
For negative interval like −3 ≤ x < − 2, note that -3 is lower end whereas -2 is higher end. Yet another
feature of this function is that domain of the function is continuous in R. It means, there need to be a
function value corresponding to all x.
A function like y=f(x) has dierent elements. We can apply GIF to these elements of the function. There
are following dierent possibilities :
1 : y= f([x])
2 : y=[f(x)]
3 : [y]=f(x)

1 Greatest Integer operator applied to independent variable

The form of transformation is depicted as :

y = f (x) ⇒ y = f ([x])
The graph of y=f(x) is transformed in y=f([x]) by virtue of changes in the argument values due to
operation on independent variable. The independent variable of the function is subjected to greatest function
operator. This changes the normal real value input to the function. Instead of real numbers, independent
variable to function is rendered to be integers  depending on the value of x and interval it belongs to. A
value like x= - 2.3 is passed to the function as -3 in the interval −3 ≤ x < − 2 .
Clearly, real values of x are truncated to integer values in the interval of unity i.e. [-1,0), [0,1), [1.2)
etc. It means that values of the function y=f(|x|) will remain same as that of its value corresponding to
integral value of x till value of x changes to next interval. We need to apply modication to the curve to
reect this eect. Knowing that truncation takes place for successive integral values of x, we divide graph
of y=f(x) to correspond to 1 unit segments of x-axis. For this, we draw lines parallel to y-axis at integral
points along x-axis. From intersection point of lines drawn and function graph, we draw lines parallel to
x-axis for the whole interval which extends for a unit value. This ensures that function values remain same
to that of function value for the lower integral value of x in a particular interval of one.
From the point of construction of the graph of y=f([x]), we need to modify the graph of y=f(x) as :

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1 : Draw lines parallel to y-axis (vertical lines) at integral values along x-axis to cover the graph of
y=f(x).
2 : Identify points of intersections of graph with parallel lines drawn in the earlier step.
3: Draw lines of 1 unit parallel to x-axis from intersection points in the direction of positive x. The line
ends at the next parallel line on right. Include intersection point but exclude other end of the line. Include
transformation for all points of the graph.
The lines drawn in step 3 is the graph of y=f([x]).

Example 1
Problem : Draw the graph of sin[x].
Solution : Following the construction steps, graph of y=sin[x] is drawn as shown here.

Graph of y=sin[x]

Figure 2: The argument of function is modied by GIF.

Example 2
−1
Problem : Draw graph of tan [x], x∈[-2, 2].
−1
Solution : Following the construction steps, graph of y= tan [x] is drawn as shown here.

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Graph of y= tan−1 [x]

Figure 3: The argument of function is modied by GIF.

See that function value corresponding to x=2 and x=-2 are not included in the preceding interval
on the graph. As such, we need to put a solid circle at x=2 and x=-2 additionally. Further, we
−1
need to remove original graph of y= tan x (this step is not shown in the gure above).

2 Greatest Integer operator applied to the function

The form of transformation is depicted as :

y = f (x) ⇒ y = [f (x)]
The graph of y= f(x) is transformed in y=[f(x)] by applying changes to the output of the function.
Whatever be the function values, they will be changed to integral values following denition of greatest
integer values as given earlier for few intervals. Clearly, real values of f(x) are truncated to integer values
in the interval of unity i.e. [-1,0), [0,1), [1.2) etc along y-axis.
From the point of construction of the graph of y=f([x]), we need to modify the graph of y=f(x) as :
1 : Draw lines parallel to x-axis (horizontal lines) at integral values along y-axis to cover the graph of
y=f(x).
2 : Identify points of intersections of graph with parallel lines drawn in the earlier step. Draw lines
parallel to y-axis (vertical lines) from the intersection points identied.
3: Take x-projection of curve from the point of intersection between two consecutive vertical lines such
that it lies on horizontal line of lower value. Include intersection point but exclude other end of the line.
Further include points not covered by the projection.

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The lines drawn in step 3 is the graph of y=[f(x)].

Example 3
Problem : Draw the graph of [2sinx].
Solution : Following the construction steps, graph of y=[2sinx] is drawn as shown here.

Graph of y=[2sinx]

Figure 4: The value of function is modied by GIF.

3 Values assigned to greatest Integer function

The form of transformation is depicted as :

y = f (x) ⇒ [y] = f (x)

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We need to evaluate this equation on the basis of assignment to the dependent expression. The value of
function f(x) is rst calculated for a given value of x. The value so evaluated is assigned to the GIF function
[y]. We interpret assignment to [y] in accordance with the interpretation of equality of the GIF function to
a value. In this case, we know that :

[y] = f (x) ; f (x) ∈

/Z ⇒ GIF can not be equated to non-integers. No solution.

[y] = f (x) ; f (x) ∈ Z ⇒y = Continuous interval of 1 unit starting from f(x)

Clearly, we need to neglect plot corresponding to all non-integral values of f(x). For every value of x,
which yields integral value of f(x), there are multiple values of dependent expression [y] in an interval of 1
unit. For example, for [y] = f (x) = 2, y ∈ 2 ≤ y < 3 . In the nutshell, this graph is not continuous. There
is no value of y corresponding to non integer f(x) and there are multiple values of y in an interval of 1 for
integral values of f(x).
From the point of construction of the graph of |y|=f(x), we need to modify the graph of y=f(x) as :
1 : Draw lines parallel to x-axis (horizontal lines) at integral values along y-axis to cover the graph of
y=f(x).
2 : Identify points of intersections of graph with parallel lines (horizontal lines) drawn in the earlier
step.
3 : Draw lines of 1 unit parallel to y-axis (vertical lines) from intersection points in the positive
y-direction. Include intersection point but exclude other end of the line.
The lines drawn in step 3 is the graph of [y]= f(x).

Example 4
Problem : Draw graph of [y]=(x+1)(x-2).
Solution : We rst draw the graph of quadratic polynomial function y = (x + 1) (x − 2) =
x2 − x − 2 . The lowest point of the parabola is calculated as :

2
D = (−1) − (4X1X − 2) = 1 + 8 = 9

D 9
ymin = − =− = −2.25
4a 4X1
Following construction steps, graph of [y]=(x+1)(x-2) is drawn as shown here.

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Graph of [y]=(x+1)(x-2)

Figure 5: The value of expression is assigned to GIF.

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