Solution of Inequalities I. Linear Inequalities A. Properties of inequalities 1. Addition property: Ifa 0, then ae < be (ii) Ifa be. 4. Division properties: (i) Ifa 0, then 2 <2. coe (ii) Ifa 2. ¢ B. Examples 1. Solve: 2x+3<4x-8 2x+3-4x <4x-8-4x ~2x43<-8 =2x4+3-3<-8-3 TVS -2xs-11 1 -2x 2. Solve: Y4(x-N+ 4 >%x-1 Yas yo Re 12(3%4)+12(%4)> 12124 x)-120) 9x -946>8x-12 9x-—3>8x—12 9x — 3 — 8x > 8x-12- 8x so ne x—34+3>-1243 -9 x>-9Il. General Technique for Solving Any Inequality A. Steps in solving any inequality 1, Make inequality into an equality, and solve the resulting equation to get equality values. 2. For inequalities involving fractions, find all values of the variable for which the denominators of the fractions are zero; for inequalities involving radicals, find all values of the variable for which the radicands of the radicals are zero. 3. Put all equality values, zero-denominator values, and/or zero radicand values ona number line, and determine if any of these values will satisfy the inequality. 4, Test alll regions determined by these values. Pick a number in each region and substitute this number into the original inequality. If you get a true result, then all the numbers in that region will satisfy the original inequality. If you get a false result, then no numbers in that region will satisfy the original inequality. B. Examples 1. Solve: 2x+3<4x-8 anne 2x+3=4x-8 bya i 2x=-11 5 vA 6 “ly 5: 265) +3<4(5)-8 6: 26) +3 < 46) -8 Equality value 10+3<20-8 124+3<24-8 13<12 False 15<16 True 2. Solve: 22 xl 3 ae x41 3 3x= 2x42 2=3 Equality value 2 Zero-denominator value 02 = False3. Solve: x7 +x<12 answer x +x=12 o 4 0 4 x? +x-12=0 (x+4)\(x-3)=0 5: (5)? +(-5) < 12 4: 42 44.<12 25-5 <12 16+4<12 3 20 < 12 False 20 < 12 False Equality values 0: 07 +0<12 0<12 True 4. Solve: Jx+34x>9 Vxt+34x=9 answer Vrs3-9-x > (e+3P =0-»? 43 0 613 x+3=81-18x4x7 O=x7 -19x +78 4: V—4434(-4)>9 0 =(x-6)(x-13) V=1+(-4)>9 False x=60rx=13 Checking these values in equation: 0; JO+3+0>9 6 => V6434+6=9 V3+0>9 False V9+6=9 13: VI3+3+13>9 x=13 => V13+3+13=9 Vi6 +13>9 V16 +13=9 4+13>9 True 4+13=9 False x=6 Equality value Zero-radicand valueIL. Compound Inequalities A. Intersection ‘and” 1. Take only those values which are common to both inequalities 2. a3 and x <6 x>3 3 ————+— & e x >3and x<6 3 6 Example 2: Solve: x>3and x26 x>3and x26 —7_ tar 3 6 Example 3: Solve: x23 and x<2 <<» x23 and x2 { } = no solution 4B. Union 1. Take all values from the first inequality or from the second inequality or from both: ie. take everything. [Note : In mathematics, we use the “inclusive or”.] 2. Note: Whereas “a 6 or x <2 tO vor 2 2 6 Example 2: x>6 or x>2 6 +<—>—————— > 2 oor x2? 2 6 Example 3: x2 orx <6 x22 orx<6 ep { all real numbers}Solve the following inequalities and graph each answer on a number line: (1) -3x-2<1 (2) 2-4x+5(x-1) <-6(x-2) @) 7 cores (5) -4<1-3x<2 (6) x23 orx<-1 (7) x<2and x<-3 (8) x? -10x +25 <25 (9) 2x? 9x > -4 (10) x3 -4x<0 x-1 11) ——>0 (0 2” (12) —>1 (13) a4)a ) () (8) (9) (10) qa) Solution Key for Inequalities