Chapter VI SOLVING INEQUALITIES

Prepared by Sir Ronald for ________________________

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A. Polynomial Inequalities in One Variable

• A polynomial inequality is any inequality that can be put in one of the forms
𝒑𝒑(𝒙𝒙) < 𝟎𝟎, 𝒑𝒑(𝒙𝒙) > 𝟎𝟎, 𝒑𝒑(𝒙𝒙) ≤ 𝟎𝟎, or 𝒑𝒑(𝒙𝒙) ≥ 𝟎𝟎
where 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) = 𝑎𝑎𝑛𝑛 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛 + 𝑎𝑎(𝑛𝑛−1) 𝑥𝑥 𝑛𝑛−1 + ⋯ + 𝑎𝑎1 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑎𝑎0 , 𝑎𝑎0 ≠ 0.

Procedure for Solving Polynomial Inequalities

1) Express the inequality in the form 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) < 0, 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) > 0, 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) ≤ 0, or 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) ≥
0.
2) Factor the polynomial and find the roots of 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) = 0. The real roots are the
boundary points/critical values.
3) Locate these boundary points on a number line, thereby dividing the number
line into intervals.
4) Choose one representative number (test value) within each interval and
evaluate 𝑝𝑝 at that number. If the value of 𝑝𝑝 is positive, then 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) > 0 for all
numbers, 𝑥𝑥, in the interval. If the value of 𝑝𝑝 is negative, then 𝑝𝑝(𝑥𝑥) < 0 for all
numbers, 𝑥𝑥, in the interval
5) Write the solution set; selecting the interval(s) that satisfy the given inequality.
Example Solve. 𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 3 > 0
1.

Example Solve. 4𝑥𝑥 3 − 7𝑥𝑥 2 ≤ 15𝑥𝑥

2.

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 Example Solve. 4𝑥𝑥 3 + 20𝑥𝑥 2 − 23𝑥𝑥 + 6 < 0.
3.

Example Solve. 3𝑥𝑥 4 − 13𝑥𝑥 3 + 7𝑥𝑥 2 − 13𝑥𝑥 + 4 ≥ 0.

4.

TEST YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Solve and graph: 𝒙𝒙𝟑𝟑 − 𝟑𝟑𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 − 𝟔𝟔𝟔𝟔 + 𝟖𝟖 ≤ 𝟎𝟎. Express the solution set in terms of
graph, interval notation, and set-builder
method.

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PRACTICE EXERCISES

Solve the following inequalities. Express the solution set in terms of graph,
interval notation and set-builder method.

1. 𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 − 21𝑥𝑥 − 45 < 0 2. 𝑥𝑥 3 + 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 29𝑥𝑥 + 42 >

0

3. 3𝑥𝑥 3 + 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 75𝑥𝑥 − 50 ≥ 0 4. 2𝑥𝑥 3 − 15𝑥𝑥 2 + 24𝑥𝑥 +

16 ≤ 0

5. 3𝑥𝑥 4 − 11𝑥𝑥 3 − 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 8 ≤ 0 6. 6𝑥𝑥 3 − 25𝑥𝑥 2 + 21𝑥𝑥 +

10 ≥ 0

7. *𝑥𝑥 5 − 3𝑥𝑥 4 − 3𝑥𝑥 3 + 9𝑥𝑥 2 − 10𝑥𝑥 + 30 > 0 8. 2𝑥𝑥 4 − 5𝑥𝑥 3 + 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 −

4<0

9. 𝑥𝑥 5 − 9𝑥𝑥 4 + 31𝑥𝑥 3 − 49𝑥𝑥 2 + 36𝑥𝑥 − 10 ≥ 0 10. ∗ 2𝑥𝑥 6 + 5𝑥𝑥 5 + 𝑥𝑥 4 +

10𝑥𝑥 3 − 4𝑥𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑥 − 3 < 0
B. Rational Inequalities in One Variable
• A rational inequality is any inequality that involves rational expressions.

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 • Rational inequalities are solved using a method similar to polynomial
inequalities.
• Recall that if a product or quotient has an even number of negative factors,
then its value is positive and if it has an odd number of negative factors then
its value is negative.

Procedure for Solving Rational Inequalities

1) Be sure to write the quotient as a single fraction compared to zero.
2) Factor the numerator and denominator.
3) The boundary points/critical points are the values of 𝑥𝑥 where the numerator
and denominator are equal to 0.
4) Locate these boundary points on a number line, thereby dividing the number
line into intervals.
5) Determine intervals where each factor is +/−. Make a table of values/signs
using the intervals found.
6) Write the solution set; selecting the interval(s) that satisfy the given inequality.
Be careful to include or exclude the endpoints. Remember that a fraction
equals zero when the numerator is zero and that the denominator cannot equal
zero.

Example 𝑥𝑥+1
1. Solve. ≥0
𝑥𝑥−5

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 Example 𝑥𝑥+1
2. Solve. < −2
𝑥𝑥−3

Example 𝑥𝑥+6
Solve. 𝑥𝑥 > .
3. 𝑥𝑥+2

Example 𝑥𝑥 2 −2𝑥𝑥−3
4. Solve. ≤0
4𝑥𝑥 3 −7𝑥𝑥 2 −15𝑥𝑥

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PRACTICE EXERCISES
Solve the following inequalities. Express the solution set in terms of graph,
interval notation and set-builder method.
𝑥𝑥+1 𝑥𝑥 3 +𝑥𝑥 2 −21𝑥𝑥−45
1. ≥0 2. ≤ 0. 3.
𝑥𝑥−2 𝑥𝑥 3 +2𝑥𝑥 2 −29𝑥𝑥+42
𝑥𝑥 2 +4𝑥𝑥+3
>0
𝑥𝑥−1

𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 2 −9
4. <2 5. ≤0 6.
𝑥𝑥−5 𝑥𝑥 2 −1
𝑥𝑥 2 −16
≤0
(𝑥𝑥−1)2

𝑥𝑥 2 −4 𝑥𝑥 2 +10𝑥𝑥+16
7. <0 8. ≤0 9.
4𝑥𝑥 3 +20𝑥𝑥 2 −23𝑥𝑥+6 𝑥𝑥 2 −4𝑥𝑥+3
3−𝑥𝑥2
𝑥𝑥 − 5 ≥
𝑥𝑥

2𝑥𝑥−2 𝑥𝑥 2 −1
10. −4≤0 11. ≤2 12.
𝑥𝑥 2 −𝑥𝑥 𝑥𝑥 2 +2𝑥𝑥−3
𝑥𝑥
≥1
2𝑥𝑥−1
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