INEQUALITIES

- a mathematical statement that one

expression is less than (<), greater than
(>), less than or equal to (s ), greater
than or equal to ( > ) another expression.
- looks just like an equation, except that
in the place of the equal sign is one of
the symbols <, >, or s.
a x >
a x >
a x <
a x s
) , a ( +
) , a [ +
) a , (
] a , (
INEQUALITY INTERVAL NOTATION
all real numbers
) , ( +
INTERVAL NOTATION METHOD
- graph of inequality , that is, shading a portion of Real Number Line and
every point in the Real Number Line corresponds to the nos. or values of
x in the solution set.
2 Groups of Interval Notations

A. Definite Interval
1. An open interval from a to b denoted by (a, b)
is the set of all real numbers x, such that
a < x < b.
)
0 b a
(
0 b a

or
B. Finite Interval Notation
- the value of x is found in between 2 exact nos. a & b
2. The closed interval from a to b denoted
[ a, b ] is the set of all real numbers x,
such that a < x < b.
0 b a
[ ]
0 b a
- -
or
3. An interval half-open on the left, denoted
( a, b ] is the set of all real number x,
such that a < x < b.
0 b a
( ]
0 b a
-

or
4. An interval half-open on the right, denoted
[ a, b ) is the set of all real numbers x,
such that a < x < b.
0 b a
[ )
0 b a
-

or
Kinds of Inequalities
1. Absolute inequalities are inequalities which is true for
all values of x.
Example:
x 1 x > +
2. Conditional inequalities are inequalities which is
true for certain values of x.
Example:

5 1 x > +
If a > b, both a & b have the same sign, say
3 > 2 (reversing the symbol)


Just like graphically there are two different
notations, when you write your answers you can
use inequality notation or interval notation.
Again you should be familiar with both.
0 4 6 8 2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3 2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3 0 4 6 8
[
1 > x
Inequality notation for
graphs shown above.
) , 1 [
Interval notation for
graphs shown above.
SOLUTION OF INEQUALITY
There are three ways to express the
solution set of an inequality namely:
1. Graphical Representation
2. Interval Notation
3. Set Notation
Example 1:
Interval
Notation
Graphical Representation Set Notation








0 4 -4
)
0 4 -4

(-,4) x < 4 { } 4 | < x x


Interval
Notation
Graphical Representation Set Notation








x 4
0 4 -4
]
{ } 4 | s x x
0 4 -4

Example 2:
(-
,4]


Interval
Notation
Graphical Representation Set Notation








x > 4
{ } 4 | > x x
Example 3:
0 4 -4
(
0 4 -4

(4, +)


Interval
Notation
Graphical Representation Set Notation








x 4
{ } 4 | > x x
Example 4:
0 4 -4
[
0 4 -4

) , ( +
Note that if the solution is all real numbers
the interval notation is:
[4, +)
I. LINEAR INEQUALITIES
IN ONE VARIABLE
To find the solution set of a linear inequality,
proceed in a manner to that used in solving a linear
equation, that is, a series of equivalent inequalities
until one with obvious solution is obtained. Equivalent
Inequalities are those having the same solution set.

To solve an inequality just do the same steps as
with an equality to get the variable alone but if in
the process you multiply or divide by a negative
then you need to reverse the inequality sign.
8 4 6 2 + < x x
8 6 2 < x
14 2 < x
-2 -2
Ring the alarm! We
divided by a
negative!
7 > x
We reverse the inequality
sign!
Compound Inequality OR
Compound Inequality AND
6 4 0 8 2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3
Compound Inequalities
Let's consider a "double inequality (having two inequality signs).

2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3 0 4 6 8
(
3 2 s < x
This is an "and" inequality which means both parts
must be true. It says that x is greater than 2 and x
is less than or equal to 3.
]
A statement formed by joining two clauses
with the word and is called a conjunction.
For a conjunction to be true, both clauses
must be true.
6 4 0 8 2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3
Compound Inequalities
Now let's look at another form of a "double inequality"
(having two inequality signs).
2 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 1 5 7 3 0 4 6 8
)
3 or 2 > < x x
Instead of "and", these are "or" problems. One part
or the other part must be true (but not necessarily
both). Either x is less than 2 or x is greater than or
equal to 3. In this case both parts cannot be true at
the same time since a number can't be less than 2
and also greater than 3.
[
-2 3
x > 3
Compound Inequality AND
-2 3
-2 < x < 3
Compound Inequality AND
-2 3
x < -2
Compound Inequality AND
-2 3
x has no solution
Compound Inequality AND
Compound Inequality AND
-2 3
x < -2 or x > 3
Compound Inequality OR
-2 3
x < 3
Compound Inequality OR
-2 3
x > -2
Compound Inequality OR
-2 3
all real values of x
Compound Inequality OR
Compound Inequality OR
(Quadratic Inequalities)
(ax
2
+ bx + c > 0)


STEPS:
1. Transpose all terms to the left side.
2. Factor the left member.
3. Solve for x by equating to zero.
4. Make a tabulation. (product)
Locate points a and b in the real no. line.
5. Find the solution set.
Note: Use the product (+ ) if > or <
Use the product ( ) if < or >



Example 1: Solve the inequality: x
2
2x 3 < 0
x
2
2x 3 < 0 ( x + 1) ( x 3 ) < 0



x < 1 1 < x < 3 x > 3
( x + 1 ) ( ) ( + ) ( + )
( x 3 ) ( ) ( ) ( + )
(x +1)(x 3) ( + ) ( ) ( + )
INTERVAL
Analyzing the table, the interval satisfying ( x + 1) ( x 3 ) < 0
is 1 < x < 3, hence, the solution set is the interval ( 1 , 3).


2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 .
<-------(----------------)------->
Example 2: Solve the inequality: x
4
5x
2
+ 4 > 0
x
4
5x
2
+ 4 > 0 (x
2
4 )(x
2
1 ) > 0
(x 2 )(x + 2)(x 1)(x +1) > 0

x<-2 -2< x <-1 -1< x <1 1< x <2 x> 2
( x + 2) ( ) ( + ) ( + ) ( + ) ( + )
( x + 1) ( ) ( ) ( + ) ( + ) ( + )
( x 1) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( + ) ( + )
( x 2) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( + )
x
4
5x
2
+ 4 ( + ) ( ) ( + ) ( ) ( + )
INTERVAL


2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 .
<--------]---------------[----------------]---------------[-----------
->
Analyzing the table, the intervals satisfying
(x 2 )(x + 2)(x 1)(x +1) > 0 are
x<-2 ; -1< x <1 and x> 2, hence, the solution set is
the interval: ( , 2 ] [ - 1 , 1 ] [ 2, + )

( DENOMINATOR = O )
STEPS:
1. Transpose all terms to the left
2. Simplify the fraction of the left member.
3. Tabulate. (quotient )
Example 1:










SS: (0,3)

x < 0 0 < x < 3 x > 3
3 x ( + ) ( + ) ( )
x ( ) ( + ) ( + )
quotient ( ) ( + ) ( )


2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5 .
<------------(-----------)------>
Example 2:









SS: (-3, -1/7] U ( 2, + )

x s -3 -3 s x s -1/7 -1/7 s x s 2 x >2
7x + 1 ( ) ( ) ( + ) ( + )
x 2 ( ) ( ) ( ) ( + )
x + 3 ( ) ( + ) ( + ) ( + )
quotient ( ) ( + ) ( ) ( + )


3 -1/7 0 2
<----(-----------------]------------------(------>

1. 11 < x
2. > x
3. < x <
4. 2.4 < x < 0
5 . 4 < x < 10
6. x < 10
7. 4 < x
8. t < x < 7
9. t < x < 3t
10. 4t < x < 0

Exercises:
Express the solution set following inequalities
using graphical, interval notation and set
notation.

1. 2x +14 < 16
2. 28 < 7y + 7
3. 5 4y > 29
4. 13y 5 > 9y +11
5. 29 8x < 2x 21
6. 9x > 5x 12
7. 3 4x < 9 x
8. 2 4x > 3 + 7x
9. 5y 1 > 3y + 9
10. 6y + 3 < y 12


Exercises
Find the solution set of the following inequalities
and express the answer in 3 ways.
Practice Exercise:
1. 3 ( x 3 ) + 1 > 7 and 2 ( x + 1) + 3 < 1

2. y + 3 > 9 or y 2 < 4

3. 12 x < 4 ( x 2 ) < 3 ( 25 x )
Exercises : Find the solution set of each of the
following compound inequalities.

4. 1 < x + 4 < 2
5. 7 < 4 + x < 2
Exercises : Find the solution set of each of the
following compound inequalities.

1
3
x
3
1
x
3
2
. 6

s +
2
x 1
3
x 4
2 x 3 . 7
+
<
Example :Solve the inequality
0
1
3 4
2
<
+
+
x
x x
.
1.

0
1
) 3 2 )( 3 5 (
. 2 <

+ +
x
x x
0
) 1 6 (
) 2 )( 5 2 (
. 3
2
<

x
x x
0 1 4 4 . 4
2
> + + x x
0 1 x 4 x 4 . 5
2
s + +
0 1 4 4 . 6
2
< + + x x
0 1 4 4 . 7
2
> + + x x
1 w
4 w 3
6
+ >

Exercises:
Solve the following inequalities.
1) x
2
3x +2 > 0
2) 2x > 3x
2
16
3) 2x
2
x 6 < 0
4) 20x 12 < 3x
2

5) 2x
2
+5x 12 < 0
6) x
4
10x
2
+ 9 < 0

7)

8.

1 w
1
1 w 2
4
+
<

HW #3
Solve the following inequalities
1
6 x x
1 x 3
. 1
2
s


1
2 x
3
1 x
4
. 2 >
+

+
x 6 x 5 x 4 . 3
2 3
+ <
x 2 x 1 x 2 x 5 . 4
2 2
+ < +
0 ) 2 x 5 x 2 )( 1 x .( 5
2
> + +
HW #3