Lesson 6: The Exponentials…
B. Exponential Inequality
Oh gawd… Inequality again.
• Unlike rational inequality, solving exponential inequality is just like
solving equation. But we need to memorize the theorem below:
Theorem: Let 𝑏 be a positive real number.
Rule 1: If 𝑏 > 1 Rule 2: If 𝑏 < 1
a) If 𝑏 𝑢 > 𝑏 𝑣 then 𝑢 > 𝑣. a) If 𝑏 𝑢 > 𝑏 𝑣 then 𝑢 < 𝑣.
b) If 𝑏 𝑢 < 𝑏 𝑣 then 𝑢 < 𝑣. b) If 𝑏 𝑢 < 𝑏 𝑣 then 𝑢 > 𝑣.
Note: Based on the theorem,
• both sides of inequality must have same base.
• in Rule 1, we can bring down the exponents without changing
the direction of inequality.
• in Rule 2, if we bring down the exponents then we need to
change the direction of inequality.
• we can also use it for ≤ and ≥.
Pahabol lang…
• Write your final answer in the form of interval.
Inequality Interval
𝑥<𝑎 −∞, 𝑎
𝑥>𝑎 𝑎, ∞
𝑥≤𝑎 −∞, 𝑎
𝑥≥𝑎 𝑎, ∞
Guided Examples:
1. 24𝑥−2 > 8𝑥+2
24𝑥−2 > 23 𝑥+2
24𝑥−2 > 23𝑥+6
Since the base is greater than 1, we will use Rule 1:
4𝑥 − 2 > 3𝑥 + 6
4𝑥 − 3𝑥 > 2 + 6
𝑥>8
The final answer is 8, ∞ .
Guided Examples:
2. 3𝑥−3 ≤ 9𝑥+1
3𝑥−3 ≤ 32 𝑥+1
3𝑥−3 ≤ 32𝑥−6
Since the base is greater than 1, we will use Rule 1:
𝑥 − 3 ≤ 2𝑥 − 6
𝑥−2≤3−6
𝑥 − 2𝑥 ≤ 3 − 6
−𝑥 ≤ −3
𝑥≥3
Notice that the direction of inequality at the last line was changed. As a rule in
inequality, if we multiply or divide a negative number both sides of inequality, the
inequality should change its direction. Hence, the final answer is 3, ∞ .
Guided Examples:
1 2𝑥+4 3𝑥−4
3. ≤ 0.25
2
1
Note: = 0.5 and 0.25 = 0.52 .
2
0.5 2𝑥+4 ≤ 0.52 3𝑥−4
0.5 2𝑥+4 ≤ 0.5 6𝑥−8
Since the base is less than 1, we will use Rule 2:
2𝑥 + 4 ≥ 6𝑥 − 8
2𝑥 − 6𝑥 ≥ −4 − 8
−4𝑥 ≥ −12
𝑥≤3
The final answer is −∞, 3 .
HomeWerck: Solve the following exponential
inequality. Write your solution in ½ crosswise.
1. 0.001 2𝑥+1 > 0.01 2𝑥−3
2. 42𝑥+7 ≤ 322𝑥−3
2 5𝑥+2 3 2𝑥
3. ≥
3 2