3.

1 LINEAR INEQUALITIES
Interpreting Inequalities
Describe the subset of real numbers represented by each inequality.
a)

b)
Solution
a. The inequality denotes all real numbers less than or equal to 2, as shown in Figure P.10.

b. The inequality means that and This “double inequality” denotes all real numbers between and
3, including but not including 3, as shown in Figure P.11.

Inequalities can be used to describe subsets of real numbers called intervals. In the bounded
intervals below, the real numbers and are the endpoints of each interval. The endpoints of a closed
interval are included in the interval, whereas the endpoints of an open interval are not included in the
interval.
The symbols positive infinity, and - negative infinity, do not represent real numbers. They are simply
convenient symbols used to describe the unboundedness of an interval such as (1, ) or (- ,3]

As with an equation, you solve an inequality in the variable x by finding all values of x for which the
inequality is true. Such values are solutions and are said to satisfy the inequality. The set of all real numbers
that are solutions of an inequality is the solution set of

the inequality. For instance, the solution set of is all real numbers that are less than 3. The set of all points on
the real number line that represents the solution set is the graph of the inequality. Graphs of many types of
inequalities consist of intervals on the real number line. See Section P.1 to review the nine basic types of
intervals on the real number line. Note that each type of interval can be classified as bounded or unbounded.
Solving a Linear Inequality in One Variable

The simplest type of inequality is a linear inequality in one variable.In the following examples, pay special
attention to the steps in which the inequality symbol is reversed. Remember that when you multiply or divide
by a negative number, you must reverse the inequality symbol.
example can be write as

Solving Linear Inequalities

a) b)

Real Number line

Real Number line

Interval Notation : (∞ ,2]

5
−
4

5
[− , ∞)
4
Interval Notation :

c) 3≤2+ x<5 d) 2x < x − 4 ≤ 3x + 8 (Double Inequality)

(Double Inequality)

solution : Solution :
3≤2+ x and 2+ x <5 2 x< x−4 and x−4≤3 x +8
−x +3≤2 x <5−2 2 x−x<−4 x−2 x≤8+4
−x≤2−3 x <3 x <−4 −x≤12
−x≤−1 12
−1 x≥
x≥ −1
−1 x≥−12
x≥1
Real Number line
Real Number line

-12 -4

Interval Notation :[-12,-4)

Interval Notation :[1,3)

Exercises: Solve the following inequalities