Quadratic Inequalities

Consider 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 with unknown 𝑥 and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 ∈ ℝ, 𝑎 ≠ 0. Each of the propositions of

𝑓 𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 𝑥 ≥ 0, 𝑓 𝑥 < 0 and 𝑓 𝑥 ≤ 0 is called quadratic inequality with one unknown. The set of 𝑥
numbers that satisfy inequality is called the solution set to inequality.

Examination of the sign of the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

• If ∆> 0, the equation has two distinct roots such as 𝑥1 < 𝑥2 .

REVIEW

In this case, the following table examines the solution set of the inequality.

𝑥 −∞ 𝑥1 𝑥2 +∞
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 same sign of 𝑎 opposite sign of 𝑎 same sign of 𝑎

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 • If ∆= 0, the equation has double-repeated root such as 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 .
REVIEW

In this case, the following table examines the solution set of the inequality.

𝑥 −∞ 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 +∞

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 same sign of 𝑎 same sign of 𝑎

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 • If ∆< 0, the equation has no real root. That is, the curve does not intersect the 𝑥-axis.
𝑓 𝑥 > 0 as 𝑎 > 0, 𝑓 𝑥 < 0 as 𝑎 < 0.
REVIEW

In this case, the following table examines the solution set of the inequality.

𝑥 −∞ +∞
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 same sign of 𝑎

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 NOTE: When making the sign table, the roots of all the multipliers (numerator and denominator) in the
inequality are found. The found roots are sorted from small to large in the sign table. The sign of the
function is written starting from the right of the largest root. The sign is found by multiplying the leading
coefficient signs on each multiplier. The sign changes in single-repeated roots as you move to the left, while
it remains the same in double-repeated roots.
REVIEW

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 Example: Find the solution set of 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 ≥ 0.
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Solution: ∆= 25 − 4.2.3 = 1 > 0 and roots are 2𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 1 = 0 ⟹ 𝑥1 = − 2 , 𝑥2 = −1.

𝑥 3
−∞ −2 −1 +∞
2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 ≥ 0 + − +
REVIEW

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Solution Set: ൬−∞, − 2ቃ ∪ ሾ−1, +∞ሻ

Example: Find the solution set of −3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4 < 0.

Solution: ∆= 4 − 4. −3 . −4 = 4 − 48 = −44 < 0 and no real solution. Since 𝑎 = −3 < 0 the statement
− 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4 gets negative values for all 𝑥 numbers.

𝑥 −∞ +∞
−3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 4 < 0 −

Solution Set: ℝ
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 Example: Find the solution set of 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 < 0.
Solution: ∆= 16 − 4.1.7 = 16 − 28 = −12 < 0 and no real solution. Since 𝑎 = 1 > 0, the statement
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 negative values for all 𝑥 numbers.

𝑥 −∞ +∞
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 < 0 +
REVIEW

Solution Set: ∅
Example: Find the solution set of 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2 > 0.

Solution: ∆= 16 − 4.2.2 = 16 − 16 = 0 , the statement has double-repeated root 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 = −1. Since

𝑎 = 2 > 0,

𝑥 −∞ −1 +∞
2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2 > 0 + +

Solution Set: ℝ\ −1

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 Example: Find the solution set of 2𝑥 − 9 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 > 0.

Solution: Factoring the statement 2𝑥 − 9 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 such as 2𝑥 − 9 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 + 1 gives the roots

𝑥1 = −3, 𝑥2 = −1, 𝑥3 = 9/2.

𝑥 −∞ −3 −1 9/2 +∞
2𝑥 − 9 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 > 0 − + − +
REVIEW

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Solution Set: −3, −1 ∪ 2
, +∞

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 3 2
Example: Find the solution set of ≤ 𝑥−3.
𝑥+1

Solution: When solving the inequality, we must arrange as one side zero. We should also be very careful in
such transactions, because making cross multiplying can change the direction of inequality and simplifying can
cause some roots to be lost.
3 2 3 2 𝑥 − 11
≤ ⟹ − ≤0⟹ ≤0
𝑥+1 𝑥−3 𝑥+1 𝑥−3 𝑥+1 𝑥−3
REVIEW

The roots of multipliers in inequality are 𝑥1 = −1, 𝑥2 = 3, 𝑥3 = 11.

The sign of the function is written
starting from the right of the
𝑥 −∞ −1 3 11 +∞
largest root. The sign is found by
𝑥 − 11 multiplying the leading coefficient
≤0 − + − +
𝑥+1 𝑥−3 signs on each multiplier.
+

Solution Set: −∞, −1 ∪ ሺ3, 11ሿ 𝑥 − 11

=+
𝑥+1 𝑥−3
+ +

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 𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4 𝑥−3
Example: Find the solution set of ≤ 0.
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−15

𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4 𝑥−3 𝑥+2 2 𝑥−3

Solution: = . Let us not simplify, so as not to overlook that the function is
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−15 𝑥+5 𝑥−3
undefined for 𝑥 = 3.

The roots of multipliers; 𝑥1 = −5, 𝑥2 = −2 (double-repeated), 𝑥3 = 3 ሺdouble−repeated).

REVIEW

𝑥 −∞ −5 −2 3 +∞ The sign changes in single-

repeated root as you move to
𝑥+2 2 𝑥−3
≤0 − + + + the left, while it remains the
𝑥+5 𝑥−3 same in double-repeated root.

Solution Set: −∞, −5 ∪ −2

𝑥 2 +4𝑥+4 𝑥−3
Warning: The solution set is −5,3 ∪ 3, +∞ for ≥ 0. If we simplified the multiplier
𝑥 2 +2𝑥−15

ሺ𝑥 − 3ሻ, we could think that the function is defined for 𝑥 = 3.

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 Exercises

1. Find the solution set of 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 𝑥 − 2 < 0. Answer: −∞, −4 ∪ 0,2

𝑥−2 2 𝑥 2 −9
2. Find the solution set of 𝑥 2 −5𝑥+6
< 0. Answer: −3,2

𝑥 2 −9
3. Find the solution set of < 0. Answer: ∅
𝑥−4
REVIEW

4. How many integer values are there that satisfying the inequality 4 < 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 ≤ 10. Answer: 2

5. Find the widest interval of values for 𝑚 so that the equation 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 𝑚 + 2 = 0 has two
different roots with the same sign. Answer: −2,2

6𝑥+1
6. Find the solution set of > 1. Answer: 0,4
𝑥+1 2

7. Find the widest interval of values for 𝑚 so that the inequality 4𝑥 2 + 4 − 8𝑚 𝑥 + 3𝑚2 + 13 > 0
holds for all 𝑥 ∈ ℝ. Answer: −2,6

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 Absolute Value

Absolute value for a real number 𝑥 ∈ ℝ is denoted by 𝑥 and defined such as

𝑥 𝑥≥0
𝑥 =ቊ
−𝑥 𝑥<0
2
According to this definition, for every 𝑥 ∈ ℝ, 𝑥 ≥ 0, − 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑥 , 𝑥 = 𝑥 2.
REVIEW

Properties of absolute value;

• 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 ⟺ −𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎 • 𝑥2 = 𝑥

• 𝑥 ≥ 𝑎 ⟺ 𝑥 ≥ 𝑎 or 𝑥 ≤ −𝑎 • 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑥 . 𝑦

• 𝑥 = 𝑎 ⟺ 𝑥 = −𝑎 or 𝑥 = 𝑎 𝑥 𝑥
• = , 𝑦≠0
𝑦 𝑦
• 𝑥 =0⟺𝑥=0
• 𝑥+𝑦 ≤ 𝑥 + 𝑦
• 𝑥 − 𝑦 ≤ 𝑥−𝑦

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 𝑥
Example: If 𝑥. 𝑦 = −3𝑦 and = 2𝑥, find the value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 =?
𝑦

Solution: Since the result of the absolute value cannot be negative, we have
𝑥
𝑥. 𝑦 = −3𝑦 ⟹ 𝑦 < 0 and = 2𝑥 ⟹ 𝑥 > 0
𝑦

If 𝑥 > 0 and 𝑦 < 0, then 𝑥. 𝑦 = −𝑥𝑦 = −3𝑦 ⟹ 𝑥 = 3

REVIEW

𝑥 𝑥 1 5
= − 𝑦 = 2𝑥 ⟹ 𝑦 = −1/2 and 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 3 − 2 = 2 .
𝑦

Example: Simplify the expression 𝑎 − 𝑏 + 2𝑏 − 3𝑏 − 𝑎 for 𝑎 < 0 < 𝑏 .

Solution: For 𝑎 < 0 < 𝑏, 𝑎 − 𝑏 < 0 and 3𝑏 − 𝑎 > 0. Hence

𝑎 − 𝑏 + 2𝑏 − 3𝑏 − 𝑎 = − 𝑎 − 𝑏 + 2𝑏 − 3𝑏 − 𝑎 = −𝑎 + 𝑏 + 2𝑏 − 3𝑏 + 𝑎 = 0.

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 Example: Find the solution set of 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 + 4 .

Solution: 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 + 4 or 2𝑥 − 1 = −𝑥 − 4

𝑥=5 3𝑥 = −3 ⟹ 𝑥 = −1 𝑆 = −1,5

Example: Find the solution set of 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 − 5.

REVIEW

Solution: 2𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 − 5 or 2𝑥 − 1 = −𝑥 + 5

𝑥 = −4 3𝑥 = 6 ⟹ 𝑥 = 2

Since 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑥 = 2 do not satisfy the given equality, they are not solutions. So, S = ∅.

Example: Find the solution set of 𝑥 2 − 9 = 𝑥 − 3 .

Solution: 𝑥 2 − 9 = 𝑥 − 3 ⟹ 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 + 3 = 𝑥 − 3 . When simplifying, we must consider

𝑥 − 3 = 0 ⟹ 𝑥 = 3. On the other hand,
𝑥 + 3 = 1 ⟹ 𝑥 = −2
𝑥+3 =1⟹ and S = −4, −2,3 .
𝑥 + 3 = −1 ⟹ 𝑥 = −4
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PROF. DR. MURAT SUBAŞI ATATÜRK UNİVERSITY
 Example: Find the solution set of 𝑥 − 2 ≤ 𝑥 + 3 .
1
Solution: Calculating the square of both sides gives 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 ≤ 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 ⟹ −10𝑥 ≤ 5 ⟹ 𝑥 ≥ −
2

𝑥 2 −25
Example: Find the solution set of ≤ 0.
𝑥−1 −5
REVIEW

Solution: We know that 𝑥 2 − 25 ≥ 0. The values 𝑥 = ∓5 make the statement zero. The inequality holds when
𝑥 − 1 − 5 < 0. Then

𝑥 − 1 − 5 < 0 ⟹ 𝑥 − 1 < 5 ⟹ −5 < 𝑥 − 1 < 5 ⟹ −4 < 𝑥 < 6

𝑆 = −4,6 ∪ −5 .

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 Exercises

𝑎2 + 𝑎 − −3𝑎
1. Find the solution set of −𝑎2 −4
=2 Answer: Ç = ∅

2. Find the solution set of 𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 4 < 0. Answer: Ç = 4,+∞

REVIEW

4
3. Find the solution set of 1 ≤ . Answer: Ç = 0,4 \ 2
4−2𝑥

4. Find the solution set of 𝑥 + 2 − 𝑥 − 3 ≤ 1. Answer: Ç = ሺ−∞, 1ሿ

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 Ordered Pairs

Definition: The writing of a and b as a single element in the form (a, b) is called ordered pair. Here a is called
the first component of the ordered pair, and b is called the second component.

Not: 𝑎, 𝑏 = 𝑐, 𝑑 ⟺ 𝑎 = 𝑐 ‫𝑑 = 𝑏 ٿ‬

Example: If 2𝑥 − 3,5 = 7, 𝑦 + 4 , then find 𝑥 + 𝑦.

REVIEW

Solution: 2𝑥 − 3,5 = 7, 𝑦 + 4 ⟹ 2𝑥 − 3 = 7 ‫ ٿ‬5 = 𝑦 + 4

⟹ 𝑥 =5 ∧ 𝑦 =1 ⟹𝑥+𝑦=5+1=6

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 Cartesian Product

Let 𝐴 and 𝐵 be any two sets. The set A × B = 𝑥, 𝑦 : 𝑥 ∈ 𝐴 and 𝑦 ∈ 𝐵 is called the Cartesian product of
sets A and B.
Example: If A = 1,2,3 and B = 𝑎, 𝑏 then A × B = 1, 𝑎 , 1, 𝑏 , 2, 𝑎 , 2, 𝑏 , 3, 𝑎 , 3, 𝑏

Example: If A = 1,2,3 and B = 𝑥: −1 < 𝑥 ≤ 3, 𝑥 ∈ ℝ , then plot A × B.

𝑦
REVIEW

Properties of Cartesian Product

3
1. A × B ≠ B × A
2. s A × B = s B × A = s A . s B
B
3. A × A = A2 , A × ∅ = ∅
𝑥
1 2 3
-1 4. s A × B ∪ C =s A×B ∪s A×C
5. s A × B ∩ C =s A×B ∩s A×C
A

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 Relations

Definition: A subset of the Cartesian product 𝐴 × 𝐵 is called a relation from 𝐴 to 𝐵.

Example: If 𝐴 = 1 , and 𝐵 = 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 , then A × B = 1, 𝑎 , 1, 𝑏 , 1, 𝑐 . Each of the below set is a relation

from 𝐴 to 𝐵.

𝛽1 =∅ 𝛽5 = 1, 𝑎 , 1, 𝑏
REVIEW

𝛽2 = 1, 𝑎 𝛽6 = 1, 𝑎 , 1, 𝑐
𝛽3 = 1, 𝑏 𝛽7 = 1, 𝑏 , 1, 𝑐
𝛽4 = 1, 𝑐 𝛽8 = 1, 𝑎 , 1, 𝑏 , 1, 𝑐

Properties of Relations

1. If 𝑠(𝐴)= 𝑚 and 𝑠(𝐵)= 𝑛, then there are 2𝑚𝑛 relations defined from 𝐴 to 𝐵.

𝑚𝑛 𝑚𝑛!
2. If 𝑠(𝐴)= 𝑚 and 𝑠(𝐵)= 𝑛, then the number of relations with 𝑟 elements, defined from 𝐴 to 𝐵 is =
𝑟 𝑚𝑛−𝑟 !𝑟!

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 Example: If 𝐴 = 10,20,30 and B = 𝑥, 𝑦 , then how many 3-element relations are there defined from 𝐴
to 𝐵?
Solution: The set A × B has 3.2 = 6 elements. So there are 6 different ሺ𝑎, 𝑏ሻ ordered pairs. Since we can
6 6!
choose 3 of these 6 different ordered pairs by = 3!3! = 20 different ways, there are 20 relations with
3
3- elements.
Inverse Relation
Definition: If
REVIEW

𝛽= 𝑥, 𝑦 : 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ A × B
is a relation from 𝐴 to 𝐵 then the inverse of this relation is denoted by 𝛽 −1 and defined by
𝛽 −1 = 𝑦, 𝑥 : 𝑥, 𝑦 ∈ 𝛽 .

Example: If 𝛽 is a relation defined such as 𝛽 = 1, 𝑎 , 3, 𝑎 , 5, 𝑎 in the set

𝐴×𝐵 = 1, 𝑎 , 2, 𝑎 , 3, 𝑎 , 4, 𝑎 , 5, 𝑎
then the inverse relation of 𝛽 is defined such as
𝛽 −1 = 𝑎, 1 , 𝑎, 3 , 𝑎, 5

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