Inequalities of polynomials

(and rational functions)

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Solution of inequalities
The set of numbers that satisfy an
inequality is called the solution set.
For example, for linear inequality like
3x 4 5x 14,

solving it gives x 5.
The solution set is {x : x 5}

Manipulation of inequalities
(i) We may add any number (positive or
negative) to each side of an inequality.
(ii) We may multiply each side of an
inequality by any positive number.
(iii)If each side of an inequality is multiplied
by a negative number, the inequality is
reversed.

Solving inequalities
Step (i):
Move all terms to one side of the inequality,
so that the inequality is expressed as either greater than
zero or less than zero.
Step (ii):
Factorise the expression as product and / or
quotient of linear factors, so that the sign of each factor
can be easily worked out.
Step (iii): Put the linear factors together in a table and
the required solution set read from the table.
Warning: Never cross-multiply an inequality, unless
absolutely sure that the numbers involved are positive.

Quadratic inequalities
(revision F5 work)
Solve x2 x + 6
x2 x 6 0
(x 3)(x + 2) 0

-2

From the graph,

x -2, and x 3

Using table:
x -2 -2 x 3 x 3

(x + 2)

(x - 3)

(x - 3)(x + 2)

x
From the table:

x -2, and x 3

Solving inequalities
Example 1:

Factorise:

2x3 9x2 6x + 5 0
(x +1)(2x 1)(x 5) 0
x -1 -1 x x 5

(x +1)
(2x - 1)
(x - 5)
(x +1)(2x 1)(x 5)

From the table,

+
+

-1 x and x 5

x5
+
+
+
+

Solving inequalities (rational function)

Example 2: 3 x 4
3 x
40
x2
3 x 4x 8
0
x2
5x 5
0
x2
5( x 1)
0
x2
x 1
0
x2

x2

x < - 2 -2 < x < -1 x > -1

(x + 2)

(x + 1)

x 1
x2

From the table:

3 x
4 when -2 < x < -1
x2

Solving inequalities (rational function)

6
Example 3: x 1
x
6
x < -3 -3 < x < 0 0< x < 2 x > 2
x 1 0
x
(x + 3)
+
+
+

x( x 1) 6
x
+

0
+
x

(x - 2)
+

2
x x6
( x 3)( x 2)
0
+

+
x
x
( x 3)( x 2)
6
0
x 1
x
x when x < -3 and 0 < x < 2.

Solving inequalities
(involving absolute values)
Example 4:
(a) | 3x 2 | 7
-7 3x 2 7
-5 3x 9
-5/3 x 3

(b) | 2x 5 | 1
2x 5 -1 or 2x 5 1
2x 4 or
2x 6
x 2 or
x3

Solving inequalities
(involving absolute values)
Example 5:

x3
1
1
2x 1

x3
1
2x 1

Squaring: x 3 2

1
2x 1
(x + 3)2 < (2x 1)2
x2 + 6x + 9 < 4x2 4x + 1
-3x2 10x + 8 < 0
3x2 + 10x 8 > 0

(x 4)(3x + 2) > 0

-2/3

x < -2/3, x > 4