6: QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES

Inequalities
In mathematics, an open sentence which involves any
one of the signs, >, ≥, < or ≤ is called an . The
meanings associated with these inequalities are:
When the unknown is a real number, we usually have
> greater than an infinite number of solutions that may lie within a
³ greater than or equal to given range. When the unknown in an is an integer, a
< less than natural number or a whole number, the solution is
£ less than or equal to restricted and it is best described by listing the
members.
Equations, on the other hand, are mathematical

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statements that show equality between two Solution of Quadratic Inequalities
expressions. These are all examples of equations. If we solve the quadratic equation:

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x 2 - 4 x + 3 = 0 , the solutions or roots obtained will
2 x = 5,3x - 4 = 7 and x2 + 6 x + 5 = 0 be x = 1 or x = 3 . This quadratic equation has two
unique or distinct roots.

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Inequalities are mathematical statements in which If we solve the quadratic inequality x 2 - 4 x + 3 £ 0 ,

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one expression is less than or greater than another we the number of solutions is infinite, but, they will lie
These are all examples of inequalities. within a given range.

2x > 5, 3x - 4 < 7, x2 + 6x + 5 ³ 0 and x2 − 9 ≤ 0 are

at In solving a quadratic inequality, we seek the range
of values of x that satisfy the inequality. We may
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When the highest power of the variable is one, we obtain this range of values by sketching the curve.
have a linear. When the highest power of the We note the points where the curve cuts the x-axis
variable is two, we have a quadratic inequality. (sometimes called the critical values) and then
s
These are examples of quadratic inequalities. deduce the solution set by reading off the values from
as

the sketch. The following steps are used to arrive at

x2 + 5x + 6 £ 0, 3x2 - 4 x + 5 > 0 and x2 - 9 ³ 0 the solution.

Example 1
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Solution of linear inequalities in one unknown

In our study of linear inequalities, we learned that the Solve for x: x 2 - 6 x + 8 ³ 0 .
solution of an inequation differs from the solution of
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an equation. When we solve the equation Solution

x + 5 = 8 we obtain x = 3 1. Determine the critical values
Let 𝑥 # − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0, and obtain the roots.
When x 2 - 6 x + 8 = 0
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The solution is unique in that there is a single value

that satisfies the equation. However, when we solve ( x - 2)( x - 4) = 0
the inequation
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x + 5 < 8 we obtain x < 3 The graph of x 2 - 6 x + 8 = 0 cuts the x-axis at

and at 𝑥 = 4.
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The solution gives a range of values rather than a

single value. If x Î Â then we can represent the 2. Sketch the graph of the quadratic function.
solution on a number line as shown below. We note the coefficient of x 2 > 0 . So, the
quadratic graph has a minimum point. This is
sufficient to make a basic sketch of the quadratic
curve. We wish only to know where the curve
The solution consists of all the values on the number cuts the horizontal axis. This is shown below.
line to the left of 3. Since x = 3 is NOT a solution,
there is an empty circle at 3.
The graph below shows the solution of the inequation
x ³ 2 . Note that the circle at 2 is filled or shaded,
indicating that 2 is part of the solution.

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3. Determine the range of values of x that satisfy x2 - 6x + 8 = 0
the inequality:
( x - 2 )( x - 4 ) = 0
\ Curve y = 6 x - 8 - x 2 cuts the x-axis at
𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 4.

2. Sketch the graph of the quadratic function

From the above graph, we can see that when x ³ 4 , The coefficient of 𝑥 # is negative. Hence, the
quadratic curve has a maximum point.
y = x 2 - 6 x + 8 ³ 0 . That is, the y coordinates are all
If the graph of y = 6 x - 8 - x 2 is sketched, it
positive and hence satisfies the inequality. would look like:
Also, when x £ 2 , y = x 2 - 6 x + 8 ³ 0 . That is, the y

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coordinates are also all positive and hence satisfies
the inequality.

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4. Write the solution
For the inequality, x 2 - 6 x + 8 ³ 0 , the solution is the

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union of two disjoint sets. We combine both sets and

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write the solution as
{x : x ³ 4}È{x : x £ 2} Determine the range of values of x that satisfy
3.
Example 2
Solve for x: x 2 - 6 x + 8 £ 0 . at the inequality
The empty circles at 𝑥 = 2 and at 𝑥 = 4 indicate
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that these values are not to be included in the
solution.
Solution Notice that y is positive when x > 2 and also when
s
To solve, x 2 - 6 x + 8 £ 0 we again follow the same x < 4.
as

four steps. But we are now interested in finding the

range of values for x when the function, y is negative. 4. Write the solution
The solution is a continuous interval.
The graph shows that the y coordinates are negative
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\ 6 x - 8 - x 2 > 0 for x > 2 and x < 4.

below the x-axis and so the solution lies in the region
This result can be combined to read
where x ³ 2 and x £ 4 , as shown below.
{x : 2 < x < 4}.
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w
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This solution set for the x 2 - 6 x + 8 £ 0 lies in a If we required the solution of 6 x - 8 - x 2 < 0 , then
continuous interval and may be combined as the solution will now lie in the range x > 4 or x < 2,
{x : 2 £ x £ 4} as shown below.

Example 3
Solve for x, 6 x - 8 - x 2 > 0 .

1. Determine the critical values

Let 6 x - 8 - x 2 = 0
We may wish to multiply by – 1 to get the roots. {x : x < 2}È{x : x > 4}

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Solution of inequalities of the type
ax + b
> 0; ³ 0; < 0; £ 0
cx + d

Example 4
x-2
Solve for x in > 0.
x+3

Solution The regions are A, B and C are as shown. To

Multiply by ( x + 3) 2 which is always positive (except determine which region(s) contain the solution, select
for x = −3) so that the sign of the inequality is any point from any region and substitute in the
maintained and it is now in a more manageable form inequality. If the inequality is satisfied then the

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\( x - 2)( x + 3) > 0 region is included in the solution.
The roots of ( x - 2)( x + 3) = 0 are 2 and – 3. Region A

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The coefficient of x 2 > 0 Þ the curve has a Select the point 𝑥 = 1, substitute in the inequality:
minimum point. (1) - 6 (1) + 8 < 0
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The graph of y = ( x - 2)( x + 3) looks like:

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3 < 0 which is false.

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Hence, the solution cannot lie in region A.

Note: If 0 is not a critical value, then it is useful to

at choose it to avoid unnecessary longer computation.

In this example, 𝑥 = 0 lies in region A. Substituting
x = 0 , we have
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( 0) - 6 (0) + 8 < 0
2
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8 < 0, which is false
This verifies the above result, that is, the solution
as

x-2 cannot lie in region A.

Hence, the inequality, > 0 for x > 2 or x < -3 .
x+3
The solution is the union of two disjoint sets. We Region B
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combine both sets and write the solution as: Select the point 𝑥 = 3. We substitute 𝑥 = 3 to obtain:
(3)# − 6(3) + 8 < 0
{x : x > 2}È{x : x < -3}. −1 < 0 which is true
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If we had to solve for < 0, then the solution Hence, the required region is B and where x > 2 and
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would have been the continuous interval x < 4 , stated as {x : 2 < x < 4} .
{x: −3 < x < 2}
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Region C
We can use another method that does not involve the Although it is not necessary, we could have tested
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sketch of the curve but still requires the critical 𝑥 = 5 (in C) and obtain
values. (5)# − 6(5) + 8 < 0
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3 < 0 which is false

Example 5 Hence, the solution cannot lie in region C.
Solve for x in x 2 - 6 x + 8 < 0 .
In using the above method to obtain the solution of a
quadratic inequality, we observe a certain pattern and
Solution
can easily predict the solution without having to test
Let x 2 - 6 x + 8 = 0 all three regions.
( x - 2)( x - 4) = 0
The pattern holds for quadratics with maximum and
Hence, x = 2 and x = 4 are critical values. We
minimum values. This pattern is illustrated in the
divide the number line into three regions separated by
following diagram.
the critical values.

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 Solution of Quadratic Inequalities \ The region at the sides of B, that is, A and C are
TRUE (second pattern in the diagram) and would be
If x1 and x2 are the critical values and we test any the correct regions that satisfy the inequality.
value of x in the inequality, we will obtain the
following pattern. Hence, the solution is
EITHER – Pattern 1
x £ -3 or x ³ 1 or {x : x £ -3} È {x : x ³ 1} .

Had we tested a value in A or in C , say, x = 2 in C:

( 2) + 2 ( 2) - 3 ³ 0
2

5 ³ 0 True

So, the regions would have been A and C.

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OR – Pattern 2
Remember we can test any value of x in any region.
and if true, then the region we chose is correct. We

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can then predict the outcome of the other regions by
filling out the other regions using either pattern 1 or
pattern 2.

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The regions alternate in truth or falsity as indicated in at
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the diagrams above. So we may choose to test only
one region and depending on the result we can
deduce what is happening in the other regions.
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Example 6
Solve for x in x + 2 x - 3 ³ 0 .
2
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Solution
Let x 2 + 2 x - 3 = 0
( x + 3)( x -1) = 0
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The critical values are x = 1 and x = -3 .

We divide the number line into three regions
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separated by the critical values.

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Test x = 0 in B.
( 0) + 2 (0) - 3 ³ 0
2

-3 ³ 0 False

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