Chapter 2.

5
Compound
Inequalities
Objectives
I will find the intersection of two sets.
I will solve compound inequalities
containing and.
I will find the union of two sets.
I will solve compound inequalities
containing or.
Whats the difference?
You get a discount if you are at least 18
years old and no more than 60 years old.

18 < x < 60
You get a discount if you are less than 18
years old or at least 60 years old.
18 > x > 60
Section 1: Compound
Inequalities
Two inequalities joined by the words and
or or are called compound inequalities.

Compound Inequalities
x + 3 < 8 and x > 2


2
5 10 7
3
x
or x
Intersection of Two Sets
The intersection of two sets. A and B, is
the set of all elements common to both
sets. A intersect B is denoted by,
A B
A
B
Union = includes
ALL elements of
both sets!
Example 1
If A = { x / x is an even number greater
than 0 and less than 10} and B = {3, 4, 5,
6} find A B.
List the elements in sets A and B
A = {2, 4, 6, 8}
B = {3, 4, 5, 6}
The numbers 4 and 6 are in both sets.
The intersection is {4, 6}

You try it!
Find the intersection:
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} {3,4,5,6}


{3,4,5}
Section 2: Solutions to
compound inequalities
A value is a solution of a compound
inequality formed by the word and if it is a
solution of both inequalities.
For example, the solution set of the
compound inequality x 5 and x 3
contains all values of x that make both
inequalities true.
Compound Inequalities
A compound inequality such as x 3 and
x 5 can be written more compactly.

3 x 5
Graphing compound
inequalities
{ x / x 5}

1 5 3 4 2 6
]
1 5 3 4 2 6
{x / x 3}
[
1 5 3 4 2 6
{ x / 3 x 5

[ ]
Example 2
Solve x 7 < 2 and 2x + 1 < 9
Step 1: Solve each inequality separately

x 7 < 2 and 2 x + 1 < 9
x < 9 and 2x < 8
x < 9 and x < 4
Example 2
Step 2: Graph the two intervals on two
number lines to find their intersection.
x < 9

x < 4
4 8 6 7 5 9
)
4 8 6 7 5 9
)
Example 2
Step 3: Graph the compound inequality
{ x / x < 9 and x < 4} = { x / x < 4}
3 7 5 6 4 8
)
The solution set is ( - , 4)
Give it a try!
Solve: x + 5 < 9 and 3x -1 < 2
Example 3
Solve 2 x 0 and 4 x 1 -9
First Step: Solve each inequality
separately.

Example 3
Step 2: Graph the intervals to find their
intersection.
Example 3
Step 3: Graph the intersection
You try it!
Solve: 4x 0 and 2x + 4 2
Example 4
Solve 2 < 4 x < 7
Step 1: Isolate the x in the middle
2 < 4 x < 7
2 4 < 4 x 4 < 7 4
-2 < -x < 3
-2 < - x < 3
-1 -1 -1
2 > x > -3
Subtract 4 from
all 3 parts
Divide all three parts
by -1
Must reverse symbol
because dividing by a
negative.
Example 4
2 > x > -3 is equivalent to -3 < x < 2

Interval Notation (-3, 2)

Graph the inequality


-3 1 -1 0 -2 2
( )
Give it a try!
Solve: 5 < 1 x < 9
Example 5
Solve
2
1 5 2
3
x

9
9
2
x
Example 5
Graph the solution



Interval Notation
Give it a try!

3 1 5
2
x

Section 3: Union of two sets
The solution set of a compound inequality
formed by the word or is the union of the
solution set of two inequalities.
The union of two sets, A and B, is the set of
elements that belong to either of the sets.
A union B is denoted by
A U B
Example 6
If A = {x / x is an even number greater
than 0 and less than 10} and B = {3, 4, 5, 6}
Find A U B.

List the elements in Set A and Set B
A: {2, 4, 6, 8}
B: {3, 4, 5, 6}
Union : {2,3, 4, 5, 6, 8}

Section 4: Union
A value is a solution of a compound
inequality formed by the word or if it is a
solution of either inequality.
Graph of {x / x 1}

Graph of { x / x 3}

Unions
Graph of { x/ x 1 or x 3}
Give it a try!
Find the union:
{1, 2, 3, 4, 5} U {3, 4, 5, 6}

{1,2,3,4,5,6}
Give it a try!
Solve: 5 x 3 10 or x + 1 5
First solve each inequality separately.

Example 7
Now we can graph each interval and find
their union.
Example 7:
Solution set:

Give it a try!
Solve: 3x 2 10 or x 6 -4
Example 8
Solve: 2x 5 < -3 or 6x < 0
Step 1: Solve each inequality separately
Example 8
Graph each interval and find their union
Give it a try!
Solve: x 7 -1 or 2x 6 2