Solving inequalities: Flip the
a/b>0 does not imply a and
inequality sign when you multiply
or divide by a negative. -5x> 20,
gives x < -4. Remember do not
assume a variable to be positive.
For example if ax> 6a, then x > 6
is not necessary, since a can be
negative.
IE sign flips for the following cases:
1. A negative number is multiplied
to both sides or both sides are
divided by a negative number,
ax> ay then x< y if a < 0
2. Both sides of the inequality are
negative and they are raised to
an even power , example x> y ,
then x2< y2 and viceversa ( if
both x and y are negative)
Exponents:
x a > 1 (if a > 0 and x > 1)
x a = 1 (if a = 0 and x is not equal
to 0)
x a < 1 ( if a < 0 and x > 1)
b are positive. It only implies a
a/b> 1 does not imply a > & b have the same sign.
b . a > b only if a & b are
positive. Otherwise, a < b
if a and b are negative
INEQUALITIES AND
MODULUS
|x|= 5 means distance of x from origin is
5. x = 5 or -5
|x -1| = 4 means distance of x from 1 is
4, x = 5 or x = -3
|x|> 5 means distance of x from origin is
greater than 5. So x> 5 or x < -5
|x-1|> 5 means distance of x from 1 is
greater than 5. So x> 6 or x < - 4
Commutative property :
If a > b and b > c then
a>c
a2b3>0 implies b > 0 but we cannot
say anything about the sign of ‘a ‘
IE sign does not change for the following
cases
1. A number is added or subtracted
from both sides , example if x> y then
x+ a> y + a , or x – a > y – a
2. A positive number is multiplied to
both sides , or both sides are divided
by a positive number example, if x>
y then ax> ay if a > 0 or x/a > y/a (if
a >O)
3. The inequality is raised to an odd
power, example if x> y then x3> y3
and vice versa
4. If both sides are positive and the
inequality is raised to an even power,
example x> y then x2> y2 and
viceversa (if x and y are positive.
Remember we cannot be sure of IE
sign if we don’t know if x and y are
positive)
IE can be added but not subtracted
a >b and c > d then a+ c > b + d
but we cannot say a – c > b – d