SOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES

Example 1
𝑥+3
Find and show on the number line the solution of the inequality 𝑥−2 > 0.

Solution:

Locate the critical numbers -3 and 2, which give the intervals (-

∞,-3),

(-3,2) and (2,∞). Get a representative from each interval and

substitute it to each of the factors to determine the sign. For
example, you can use -4 from the interval (-∞,-3) and substitute
to (𝑥 + 3) and (𝑥 − 2) which are both negative when evaluated.
𝑥+3
Using the division rule of signs, determine the sign of 𝑥−2 in each
interval.
𝑥+3
Since should be positive, the solution must be (-∞,-3) U
𝑥−2
(2,∞).

Example 2
Find and show on the number line the solution of the inequality
𝑥+3
𝑥−2
+ 1 ≤ 0.

Solution:

Start by simplifying the given inequality.

𝑥+3
+1≤0
𝑥−2
𝑥+3 𝑥−2
+ ≤0
𝑥−2 𝑥−2
𝑥+3+𝑥−2
≤0
𝑥−2
2𝑥 + 1
≤0
𝑥−2
1
The critical numbers are − 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 2.Locate these in the number line to determine the intervals. Find a number
2𝑥+1
in each interval, and then follow the same process used in the first example. Since 𝑥−2
should be negative or
1
equal to zero, the solution is [− 2 , 2) . You cannot include 2, since it will make the equation undefined.

Example 3
2 3
Find the solution of 3−𝑥 ≥ 𝑥+2and show it on the real number line.

Solution:
𝑃(𝑥)
Rewrite the given inequalities in the form 𝑄(𝑥) ≥ 0,

2 3
− ≥0
3−𝑥 𝑥+2
2(𝑥 + 2) − 3(3 − 𝑥)
≥0
(3 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 2)
2𝑥 + 4 − 9 + 3𝑥
≥0
(3 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 2)
5𝑥 − 5
≥0
(3 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 2)