Hello, geton!
2. a) Sketch the graph of: 
On the same axes, sketch the graphs of: .  & \text{for }x \geq 1 \\ y \:= \text{-}\frac{1}{2}(x - 1)&\text{for }x < 1\end{array})
Show the coordinates of the points where the graph meets the axes. Code:
|
* |
* |
* *|½ *
* | * *
* | * 1 *
----------*-------*--------------
0| *
| *
| *
- - - -1+ - - - - - - - - - -
|
We're expected to be familiar with the graph of \;y \:=\:e^x)
The graph of
is a reflection of (a) over the y-axis.
The graph of
is the graph of (b) lowered one unit.
The two lines intersect at (1,0) and exist above the x-axis.
The intercepts are: .
0,\,0),\;(1,\,0),\;\left(0,\,\frac{1}{2}\right)" alt="\
0,\,0),\;(1,\,0),\;\left(0,\,\frac{1}{2}\right)" />
The only intersection is that of: . )
We have: . \quad\Rightarrow\quad 2e^{\text{-}x} - 2 \:=\:-x + 1)
Therefore,
is a root of: . 
c) Show that: . 
Since both the exponential function and the line are continuous,
. . the most elementary method is to test the endpoints.
At
. . . the exponential is above the line
At
. . . the exponential is below the line
Therefore, they intersect somewhere on the interval .)