Lecture 4b

FNDMATH

Algebraic Inequality in One Variable

Lecture 4b
Linear Inequality
Quadratic Inequality
Rational Inequality

INEQUALITIES
Algebraic expressions involving the order symbols <,>,<,>.

Properties of Inequalities
A. Closure Property of positive real numbers
If a, b R and if a  0 and b  0, then a+b > 0 and ab >0.

This mean that the sum and product of two positive numbers
is positive.

B. Transitive Property
If a, b, c  R and if a < b and b < c, then a < c.

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Lecture 4b

INEQUALITIES
Continued Inequalities
A. Open Interval
from a to b on the real number line is the set of all numbers
x, such that a < x < b.

B. Closed Interval
from a to b is the set of all real numbers between a and b on
the real number line as well as a and b. This is denoted by
a<x<b

INEQUALITIES
Notation
INTERVAL
TYPE INTERVAL SOL’N SET
NOTATION

Open a xb  x | a  x  b ( a, b)
Closed a xb  x | a  x  b [ a, b]
Left-Open a xb  x | a  x  b ( a, b]

Right-Open a xb  x | a  x  b [ a, b)

a x  x | a  x (a, )

a x  x | a  x [a, )
Unbounded
xb  x | x  b (, b)

xb  x | x  b (, b]
4

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Lecture 4b

INEQUALITIES
Algebraic expressions involving the order symbols <,>,<,>.

Solution Set Graph Interval Notation

)
 x | x  5  5 
  , 5 
 4 
 x | x  4 4
( ] ( )   ,  2   2,  
 x | x  2  x  2  2 2 
[ ) [3, 12)
 x | 3  x 12 3 12
   , 2    3,1 0   1 2 ,  
x |  x  2  3  x 10  x 12( ) ( ] [ )
 2 3 10 12 
5

LINEAR INEQUALITIES IN ONE VARIABLE

 2 3x 
1. 5  2x 15
 3 

2.  2  3x  5  2x

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Lecture 4b

LINEAR INEQUALITIES IN ONE VARIABLE

 2 3x 
3. 5  4  10
 3 

4.  3  2x  5 18

Problem set: Solve for the solution set and

graph

3x  2  x  5 2x 1  x  6
2 1 x
x  1
5 3 3
4x 1 x
3x  2  
3 2
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Rational Inequalities
A rational inequality is an inequality
involving rational inequalities
5 2
Example: 
x 3 x
An inequality may have infinitely many
solutions. The set of all solutions can be
expressed using set notation or interval
notations

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Interval and Set Notation

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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 1
Rewrite the as a single fraction on one side of
the inequality and 0 on the other side
5 2 5 x  2 x  3
 0
x 3 x x  x  3
5 2 5x  2x  6
 0 0
x 3 x x  x  3

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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 1 (continuation)
Rewrite the as a single fraction on one side of
the inequality and 0 on the other side
3x  6
0
x  x  3
x2
0
x  x  3

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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 2
Determine x-values for which the rational
expression is zero or undefined (use factored
form)
Values for which x is:
Zero: x=–2
x2
0
Undefined: x = 0 and x = 3 x x  3

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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 3 (continuation)
Mark these values on a number line
• Use shaded circles for zeroes
• Use hollow circles for x-values that will
make the function undefined
x2
0
x x  3 x=–2 x0 x3

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Solving Rational Inequalities x2

0
STEP 4 x  x  3
Draw an imaginary line to create regions
Select a test point for each region

Test Point x=–3 x=–1 x=2 x=4

Sign of f (x)
x2                    
x x  3           
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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 5
The sign of the rational expression at each
region is also the sign of the rational
function
x2 x2 x2 x2
0 0 0 0
x  x  3 x  x  3 x  x  3 x  x  3
– + – +

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Solving Rational Inequalities

STEP 6
Write the solution using the required notation
form:
Graphical

Interval Notation: (-, -2]  (0, 3)

Set Notation: S = { x  x  2 or 0 < x < 3}

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Lecture 4b

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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
2x
1. 1
x 1
3 1
2. 
x2 x
3.
2  x x 2  2 x  4  0
x2
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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
3x  8
4. 4
2x  3
3 2
5.  1
x2 x2

5 3
6. 
2 x  7 3x  2
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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
2x
1. 1
x 1

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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
2  x x  2 x  4  0
2

2
x
3.

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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
3 2
 1
5. x2 x2

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Solving Rational Equations

Exercise 4.3: Solve the inequality
6. 5  3
2x  7 3x  2

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Homework
Solve
𝒙 𝟐 𝒙
1) −𝟐≥
𝟑 𝟐
𝟐 𝟏 𝟓𝒚
2) 𝒚 − 𝟓−𝒚 < − 𝟐−𝒚
𝟑 𝟐 𝟑

3) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑 < 𝟎

4) 𝟖𝒔 + 𝟏𝟐𝒔 ≤ −𝒔𝟐

𝟑𝒑 𝟐𝒑𝟐 𝟑 𝒑
5) <
𝟒 𝒑𝟐 𝟐 𝒑

𝟏 𝟏 𝟑
6) − ≥
𝒑 𝟐 𝒑 𝟐 𝒑𝟐 𝟒

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