Inequalities - 1

1 Inequalities can be represented mathematically through the symbols: ≥, ≤, >,etc.

Speed of the Car

Less than 65mph Equal to 65mph Greater than 65mph Between 45mph and 65mph

s < 65 mph s = 65 mph s > 65 mph 45mph < s < 65 mph

Sandwich Inequality

2 Inequalities can be either strict or not-strict.

• Strict inequalities: These are in the form, >, or <, and don't include the equalities.

• Not-Strict inequalities: These are of the form, ≥, or ≤, and include the equalities.

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Inequalities - 2

3 The inequalities can be translated, and important inferences can be concluded based on them.

1 3
x<2 2>x x≤5
x is either less than 5 or equal to 5.
x is less than 2 2 is greater than x

x≯5 x is not greater than 5.

x is at most 5.

2 4
x > 10 10 < x x≥7
x is either greater than 7 or equal to 7.
x is greater than 10 10 is less than x

x ≮10
x ≠ 10 x≮7 x is not less than 7.

x is at least 7.
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Inequalities - 3

4 The larger number is always located to the right side of the smaller number on the number line.

If x > 2, x will be located on the region right of 2 on the number line.

Corollary: The smaller number is always located to the left side of the larger number.
Note: In strict inequalities, the number is not included, hence shown by a hollow circle.
In non-strict inequalities, equality is to be included, hence the number is shown by a solid circle.

1 x>2 ⇒ x is greater than 2 x

0 1 2

2 x<2 ⇒ x is smaller x

2 is larger 0 1 2

3 x≥2 x
0 1 2

4 x≤2 x

0 1 2

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Inequalities - 4

5 The inequalities can also be expressed in the sandwich form and be suitably represented on the number line.

If x > 2,
• lower limit = 2
• Upper limit = infinity (∞)
Thus, x > 2 is the same as 2 < x < ∞.
If x < 2,
• upper limit = 2
• lower limit = -infinity (-∞).
Thus, -∞ < x < 2.

x x
1 x>2 3 x≥2
0 1 2 0 1 2

2<x <∞ 2≤x <∞

x

2 x<2 x
4 x≤2
⇒ x is smaller 0 1 2 0 1 2

2 is larger
-∞ < x <2 -∞ < x ≤ 2

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Inequalities - 5

6 Addition, subtraction, or multiplication by a positive number to both sides of an inequality does not change the inequality.

If x > 2, following are the conclusions.

• Addition: x + 2 > 2 + 2, thus, x + 2 > 4.
• Subtraction: x - 2 > 2 - 2, thus x - 2 > 0.
• Multiplication by a positive number: (3)(x) > 3(2), thus, 3x > 6.

7 Multiplication by a negative number to both sides of an inequality by a negative term flips the inequality.

If x > 2, multiplication by -3 on both sides give, -3x < -6.

8 Addition or subtraction by a negative number to both sides of an inequality does not change the inequality.

If x > 2, following are the conclusions.

Addition: x + (-2) > 2 + (-2), thus, x - 2 > 0.
Subtraction: x - (-2) > 2 - (-2), thus x + 2 > 4.

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Inequalities - 6

9 The principle of equivalent inequalities can be utilized to solve linear inequalities in one variable.

If x > 2, following are the conclusions.

• Addition: x + 2 > 2 + 2, thus, x + 2 > 4.
• Subtraction: x - 2 > 2 - 2, thus x - 2 > 0.
• Multiplication by a positive number: (3)(x) > 3(2), thus, 3x > 6.

1 4x < 2x – 5 2 10 ≤ 2x – 4 ≤ 12 3 -6 < 5x + 4 < 14

(- 2x) (+4) (-4)

4x – 2x < 2x – 2x – 5 10 + 4 ≤ 2x – 4 + 4 ≤ 12 + 4 -6 – 4 < 5x + 4 – 4 < 14 – 4

2x < – 5 14 ≤ 2x ≤ 16 -10 < 5x < 10

(/ +2) (/ +2) (/ +5)

5
1 x <– 1 7≤x≤8 1 -2 < x < 2
2

2 2 2
5 0 0 7 8 -2 0 2
–
2
5
-∞ < x < –
3 2

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Process
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