The need to handle piecewise functions is common in many real-life models.

Mathematica 5.1 introduced the unique capability of system-wide support for piecewise functions--functions with different definitions for different regions. More than 100 enhancements to solving, calculus, and other capabilities were added for fully automatic handling of piecewise functions.

Piecewise functionality is of wide-ranging importance across a number of different fields, including many areas of engineering (particularly hybrid systems) and education.