Name _____________________________________ Date _________________ Class _____________

3-6 Compound Inequalities

Compound inequality- Two inequalities that are joined by the word and or the word or.
Ex: You can write the compound inequality x 5 and x 7 as 5 x 7.

x 5
x7
5 x 7
-7 -6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

10
0

The graph shows that a solution of 5 x 7 is in the overlap of the solutions of the inequality
x 5 and x 7 .

You can read 5 x 7 as x is greater than or equal to 5 AND less than or equal to 7. Another
way to read it is x is between 5 and 7, inclusive.

The word inclusive is related to the word INCLUDED.

In logic, and means that a number or variable satisfies both conditions given.

The word or means that only one condition must be satisfied.

Ex: Graph: x 3 or x 7.

-7 -6

-5

-4

-3

-2

-1

The graph of a compound inequality containing the word or is TYPICALLY two separate graphs.

The graph of a compound inequality containing the word and is TYPICALLY the overlap of the
graphs.

Examples: Graph the following compound inequalities.

1)

14 x 19

2)

13 14 15 16 17 18 19
3)

10
0

5 x 1

-5 -4

-3 -2 -1

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
4)

x 12 or x 14

x 2 or x 6

-7 -6

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1

5)

a 5 or a 1

6)

3 d 5

7)

w 2 or w 5

8)

3 x 4

Examples: Write an inequality for each graph.

1)

2)
-4 -3 -2 -1

3)

-5 -4

-3 -2 -1

-5 -4

-3 -2 -1

4)
-1

5)

6)
-5 -4

-3 -2 -1

Write a compound inequality that represents each situation. Graph your solution.
1) Todays temperatures will be above 32F, but not as high as 40F.

2) All real numbers that are at least 2 and at most 4.

3) All real numbers that are at most 3 or at least 5.

4) The books were priced between $4 and $7.

5) Discounted fares are available to children 12 and under or to adults at least 60 years of age.

SOLVING COMPOUND INEQUALITIES!

A solution of a compound inequality joined by and is any number that makes both inequalities true.
One way to solve a compound inequality with the word and is by writing 2 inequalities.
A solution of a compound inequality joined by or is any number that makes either inequality true.

Examples: Solve the following compound inequalities. Then, graph your solution.
1)

4 r 5 1

2)

6 3x 15

3)

4v 3 5 or 2v 7 1

4)

2 x 7 3 or 3x 4 5

5)

3 2 x 1 7

6)

7 3n 113

7) Your test grades in science so far are 83 and 87. What possible grades can you make on your next test
to have an average between 85 and 90, inclusive?