Inequalities

Methods to solve inequalities

1) Analytical method
a. Completing squares
b. Test point method
2) Graphical methods
Common types of inequalities in H2 Maths
1) Polynomial
2) Rational functions
3) Modulus functions
4) Other functions like ln x ,
x
e , sin x
etc
5) Substitution
1) Polynomial inequalities
Example: Solve ( )( ) 1 2 0 x x >

Method 1 sketching of polynomial
curves

Method 2: Test point method

Ans: { } , 1 or 2 x x x < >

Sketching of polynomial curves for higher
powers

Step 1) Check the sign of the highest power
of the polynomial
n
x
Step 2) Starts from the top right if
n
x is
positive and bottom right if
n
x is negative.
Step 3) Mark out the roots.
Step 4) The curve must cuts the roots.

Example:
( )( )( ) 1 2 3 y x x x =

( ) ( )( ) 2 2 1 y x x x = +

Sketching of polynomial curves with repeated
roots

Step 1) Sketch as you would for normal
polynomial curves with the repeated roots
marked out distinctively on the number line.
Step 2) Collapse the repeated roots.

Example:
( )( ) ( )
2
2 1 3 y x x x = +


1 2

x
1 2
+
+
-
x
Substitute a x value into the equation in
the regions to check for sign. Eg 3 will
result in (S - 1)(S - 2) = 2 > u
-2 1 x 2
1 2 x S
-2 1
x
S
1
-2 1
x
S 1
Collapse
this region
Note: Always double check the roots to see if you need to exclude the root.
2) Rational functions inequalities

Step 1: Shift all the terms to LHS/RHS
Step 2: Combine to a single fraction.
Step 3: Get rid of the denominator.
If the term can be negative, multiplied by the squared to the terms on both sides, else
multiply by that term on both sides.
Step 4: Solve as you would for a polynomial inequalities.
Step 5: Check for validity of roots.

Example: Solve
2
1 x
x
+ .
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )( )
2
2
2 2
2
2
1
2
1 0
2 1
0
2
0
2
0
2 0
2 1 0
x
x
x
x
x x
x
x x
x
x x
x
x
x x x
x
x
x x
+
+

+
+
+
+

+

2 or 0 1 x x <
Note: did not include 0 x = since it will result in division by 0.

-2 u x 1


Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
3) Modulus inequalities
There are four main methods to solve for inequalities involving modulus.
1) Use a x a x a < < < or or x a x a x a < > > if a is a positive constant.
2) Squaring both sides only if both sides are always positive
3) Graphical method
4) Substitutions.

Example: Solve 1 3 5 x x + > . (Squaring both sides)
( ) ( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
[ ][ ]
2 2
2 2
1 3 5
1 3 5
1 3 5 0
1 3 5 1 3 5 0
4 4 2 6 0
x x
x x
x x
x x x x
x x
+ >
+ >
+ >
+ + + >

+ >


Ans: 1 5 x < <

Example: Solve
2
2 x x < . (Graphical method)

Using the GC, the x coordinates of the intersections are -2 and 1.
The
2
y x = curve is below the 2 y x = curve (in terms of y values) for 2 1 x < < .

Note: If exact values are needed. You will need to find the intersections yourself. The graph
2 y x = is made up of two curves: 2 y x = for 2 x and 2 y x = for 2 x < . Form the
graphs, there are intersections between
2
y x = and 2 y x = .
( )( )
2
2
2 1 0
2 or 1
x x
x x
x
=
+ =
=

Ans: 2 1 x < <
1 S

x
x
y
y = x
2

-2
2 1
y = |x - 2|
y = 2 - x
y = x - 2

Example: Solve
6
1
x
x
<

. (Substitution)
For this question, the graphs are a bit complicated to sketch. We can simplify the problem by
substituting v x = .

( )
( ) ( )
( ) ( )( )
( )( ) ( )
2
2 2
6
1
6
1
6
0
1
6 1
0
1
6
0
1
3 2 1 0
3 2 1
1
0
1
x
x
v
v
v
v
v v
v
v v
v
v v v
v v v
v v
<

<

<

<

+
<

+

+

<
>


2 1 or 3 v v < < >
Then 2 1 or 3 x x < < > .

3 or 1 1 or 3 x x x < < < >


-2 1 x S

x
y
-S S -1
y = |x|
y = -2
y = 1
y = S
1


4) Other functions like lnx, e
x
, stnx, etc

Graphical methods are usually used for such questions

Example: [ ] , 0 , cos 3 sin < x x x

Step 1: Sketch x y sin = and x y cos 3 = for x 0

Step 2: Find the x-value of the intersection point of the two graphs using GC.


Alternative to find intersection if exact values are needed

From the graph, we can see that the 2 curves intersect at one point. We will proceed to find
the intersection point.
3
3 tan
cos 3 sin

=
=
=
x
x
x x


From the graph, sin y x = is below (in terms of y-values) the 3 cos y x = for 0 1.05 x < or
0
3
x

< in exact values.

5) Substitution

Substitution type of question is usually guided. You will be asked to first solve for an
inequality. Then you will be asked to solve for another similar inequality by using a simple
substitution.

Example: Find the solution for 0 12 5 2
2
< x x . Hence solve 0 12 5 2
2
<
z z
e e .

( )( )
2
2 5 12 0
2 3 4 0
x x
x x
<
+ <


3
4
2
x < <

Replace x with
v
e
( )
2
2
2 5 12 0
2 5 12 0
v v
v v
e e
e e
<
<

3
4
2
v
e < <

Ans: ln 4 v <
-
S
2

4 x
ln4 :
y
y = -
S
2

y = 4
y = c