Linear Inequalities in One

Variable

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

Sec 3.1 - 1
 Review: Linear Equation
An equation is a statement that two
expressions are equal.

2[3 – 4(5 – x)] = 2(3x – 11) x=6

An inequality is a statement that two
expressions are not equal.

5x – 8 < 3x + 2
5x – 8 > 3x + 2
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving inequalities is closely related to solving

equations. Inequalities are algebraic expressions
related by

We solve an inequality by finding all real numbers

solutions for it.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Graph of Inequality on the

Number Line
One way to describe the solution set of an inequality
is by graphing.

We graph all the numbers satisfying x < –1 by placing

a hollow circle on –1 means -1 is not part of the
solution set and drawing an arrow extending from the
hollow circle to the left. This arrow represents the fact
that all numbers less than –1 are part of the graph.
x < –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x > –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Graph of Inequality on the

Number Line
x < –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x > –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Interval Notation and the Infinity

Symbol
The set of numbers less than –1 is an example of an
interval. We can write the solution set of this
inequality using interval notation.

• The symbol does not actually represent a

number.
• A parenthesis is always used next to the infinity
symbol.
• The set of real numbers is written as in
interval notation.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable
EXAMPLE Graphing Intervals Written In
1 Interval
Notation on Number Lines
Write the inequality in interval notation and graph it.

This statement says that x can be any number greater than or equal
to 1. This interval is written .

We show this on the number line by using solid circle at 1 and

drawing an arrow to the right. The bracket indicates that the
number 1 is included in the interval.

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Graph of Inequality on the

Number Line
x < –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x > –1

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable
EXAMPLE Graphing Intervals Written In
2 Interval
Notation on Number Lines
Write the inequality in interval notation and graph it.

This statement says that x can be any number greater than –2 and
less than or equal to 3. This interval is written .

We show this on the number line by using a hollow circle at –2

and a solid circle at 3 and drawing a line between. The
parenthesis indicates that the number –2 is not included in the
interval and the bracket indicates that the 3 is included in the
interval.

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Linear Inequality

An inequality says that two expressions are not equal.

Linear Inequality

Examples:
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving Linear Inequalities Using the Addition

Property

• Solving an inequality means to find all the numbers

that make the inequality true.
• Usually an inequality has a infinite number of
solutions.
• Solutions are found by producing a series of
simpler equivalent equations, each having the same
solution set.
• We use the addition and multiplication properties of
inequality to produce equivalent inequalities.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Addition Property of Inequality

Addition Property of Inequality

 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Using the Addition Property of Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Now we have to test a number on each side of –4 to
verify that numbers greater than –4 make the inequality
true. We choose –3 and –5.

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Using the Addition Property of Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Multiplication Property of Inequality

Multiplication Property of Inequality

 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Using the Multiplication Property of Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Check: Substitute –8 for m in the equation 3m = –24.

The result should be a true statement.

This shows –8
is a boundary
point.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Using the Multiplication Property of Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Now we have to test a number on each side of –8 to
verify that numbers greater than or equal to –8 make the
inequality true. We choose –9 and –7.

–16 –14 –12 –10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4

 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Using the Multiplication Property of Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Check: Substitute – 5 for k in the equation –7k = 35.

The result should be a true statement.

This shows –5
is a boundary
point.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality

Steps used in solving a linear inequality are:

Step 1 Simplify each side separately. Clear

parentheses, fractions, and decimals using the
distributive property as needed, and combine
like terms.
Step 2 Isolate the variable terms on one side. Use
the additive property of inequality to get all
terms with variables on one side of the
inequality and all numbers on the other side.
Step 3 Isolate the variable. Use the multiplication
property of inequality to change the inequality to
the form x < k or x > k.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Step 1

Step 2
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

Step 3

–10 –9 –8 –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality with Fractions

Solve and graph the solution:

First Clear Multiply each side by the least common

Fractions: denominator, 15.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality with Fractions

Solve and graph the solution:

Step 1

Step 2
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Linear Inequality with Fractions

Solve and graph the solution:

Step 3

–16 –14 –12 –10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4

 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving Linear Inequalities with Three Parts

In some applications, linear inequalities have three parts.

When linear inequalities have three parts, it is important
to write the inequalities so that:
1. The inequality symbols point in the same direction.
2. Both inequality symbols point toward the lesser
numbers.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Three-Part Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

This statement says that x – 2 is greater than or equal to
3 and less than or equal to 7.
To solve this inequality, we need to isolate the variable
x. To do this, we must add 2 to the expression, x – 2.
To produce an equivalent statement, we must also add
2 to the other two parts of the inequality as well.
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Three-Part Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving a Three-Part Inequality

Solve and graph the solution:

–2 –1 0 1 2
 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Solving Applied Problems Using Linear

Inequalities
In addition to the familiar phrases “less than” and
“greater than”, it is important to accurately interpret
the meaning of the following:

Word Expression Interpretation

a is at least b
a is no less than b
a is at most b
a is no more than b
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved
Sec 3.1 - 31
Mary is taking an introductory algebra course in which four tests
are given. To get an A, a student must get an average of at least
90 in the four tests. Mary got scores 96, 82, and 91 in the first
three tests. Determine (in terms of an inequality) the possible
scores that she needs to get an A.

A score of 91 or better
in the last test will give
Mary an A in the
course.

Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved

Sec 3.1 - 32
Patrick has, initially, ₱5,640 in his bank account. Each payday he
deposits ₱240 into the account. How many deposits must he
make to have more than ₱8,500 in the account.

Let x = the number of deposits

240x + 5 640 > 8 500

240x > 2 860

Patrick must make at least 12 deposits to have more

than ₱8,500 in the account.
In the first four papers each of 100 marks, John got 95, 72, 73, 83
marks. If he wants an average of greater than or equal to 75
marks and less than 80 marks, find the range of marks he should
score in the fifth paper.

Let x be the marks scored by John in fifth paper.

75 ≤ [ (95 + 72 + 73 + 83 + x) /5 ] < 80
75 ≤ (323 + x) / 5 < 80

375 ≤ (323 + x) < 400

So, John should score
52 ≤ x < 77 between 51 and 77 marks
in his fifth paper.