TOPIC 3 INEQUALITIES

3.1 Introduction of inequalities

✓ Definition
✓ Interval notation
✓ Properties of inequalities
3.2 Solving Inequalities
3.2.1 Linear
3.2.2 Compound
3.2.3 Quadratic
3.2.4 Rational
3.2.5 Absolute value
✓ Definition of absolute value
✓ Equations involving absolute value
✓ Inequalities involving absolute value

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3.1 INEQUALITIES
A closed interval, denoted by [𝒂, 𝒃], consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which
𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏.

An open interval, denoted by (𝒂, 𝒃), consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which
𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑏.

The half-open, or half-closed, intervals are (𝒂, 𝒃], consisting of all real numbers
𝑥 for which 𝑎 < 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏 and [𝒂, 𝒃), consisting of all real numbers x for which
𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 < 𝑏.

In each of these definitions, 𝑎 is called the left endpoint and 𝑏 the right
endpoint of the interval.
The symbol ∞ (read as “infinity”) is not a real number, but a notational device
used to indicate unboundedness in the positive direction.

The symbol −∞ (read as “negative infinity”) also is not a real number, but a
notational device used to indicate unboundedness in the negative direction.

[𝑎, ∞) consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which 𝑥 ≥ 𝑎

(𝑎, ∞) consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which 𝑥 > 𝑎
(−∞, 𝑎] consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which 𝑥 ≤ 𝑎
(−∞, 𝑎) consists of all real numbers 𝑥 for which 𝑥 < 𝑎
(−∞, ∞) consists of all real numbers.

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Example 1 (Linear)
Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

i. 3 − 4𝑥 < 11
Solution:

3 − 4𝑥 < 11

3 − 3 − 4𝑥 < 11 − 3

−4𝑥 < 8

−4 8 Whenever you multiply or divide an inequality by a negative

𝑥>
−4 −4 number, you must flip the inequality sign.

𝑥 > −2

Interval form : (−2, ∞)

Graph:

−2

ii. 3𝑥 + 7 ≥ 𝑥 − 1

Solution:

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Example 2 (compound)
Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

i. −3 ≤ 𝑥 + 4 ≤ 5
Solution:

−3 ≤ 𝑥 + 4 ≤ 5

−3 ≤ 𝑥 + 4 ∩ 𝑥+4≤5

−3 − 4 ≤ 𝑥 + 4 − 4 ∩ 𝑥+4−4≤5−4

−7 ≤ 𝑥 ∩ 𝑥≤1

−7 1

Inequality notation: −7 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1

Interval notation : [−7,1]

Graph :

−7 1

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ii. −5 < 4 − 3𝑥 ≤ 2
Solution:

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 2𝑥−1 𝑥+1
iii. ≤ < 3𝑥 − 2
3 2
Solution:

𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏 𝒙 + 𝟏 ∩ 𝒙+𝟏
≤ < 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐
𝟑 𝟐 𝟐

𝟐(𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏) ≤ 𝟑(𝒙 + 𝟏) ∩ 𝒙 + 𝟏 < 𝟐(𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐)

𝟒𝒙 − 𝟐 ≤ 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟑 ∩ 𝒙 + 𝟏 < 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟒

𝟒𝒙 − 𝟑𝒙 ≤ 𝟑 + 𝟐 ∩ 𝟔𝒙 − 𝒙 > 𝟏 + 𝟒

𝒙≤𝟓 ∩ 𝟓𝒙 > 𝟓

𝒙>𝟏

1 5

Inequality form : 𝟏<𝒙≤𝟓

Interval form : (1,5]

Graph :

1 5

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EXERCISE 1
Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

i. −3𝑥 − 4 > 𝑥 + 5
ii. −6 < 3𝑥 + 7 < 2
Solution:

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Example 3 (Quadratic)
Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

i. 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 > 0
Solution:

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 > 0
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 1) > 0

Critical numbers, 𝑥 + 4 = 0, 𝑥 − 1 = 0
𝑥 = −4, 1

expression 𝑥 < −4 −4 < 𝑥 < 1 𝑥>1

𝑥+4 − + +
𝑥−1 − − +
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 1) + − +
 

Answer solution:
Inequality form 𝑥 < −4 ∪ 𝑥 > 1

Interval form (−∞, −4) ∪ (1, ∞)

Graph

−4 1

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ii. 2𝑥 2 ≤ 5𝑥 + 3
Solution:

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iii. 6(𝑥 2 − 1) > 5𝑥
Solution:

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Example 4 (Rational)
Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

𝑥−5
𝑖. ≤0
𝑥+9
Solution:

𝑥−5
≤0
𝑥+9
Critical numbers, 𝑥 = −9, 5
𝑥 < −9 −9 < 𝑥 < 5 𝑥>5
𝑥−5 − − +
𝑥+9 − + +
𝑥−5
+ − +
𝑥+9

Answer:

Inequality notation −9 < 𝑥 ≤ 5

Interval notation (−9, 5]

Graph

−9 5

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 2 − 5𝑥
𝑖𝑖. >1−𝑥
𝑥+6

Solution:
STEP 1:
2 − 5𝑥
>1−𝑥
𝑥+6
2 − 5𝑥
−1+𝑥 >1−1−𝑥+𝑥
𝑥+6
2 − 5𝑥
+𝑥−1>0
𝑥+6
2 − 5𝑥 + (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 6)
>0
𝑥+6
2 − 5𝑥 + 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6
>0
𝑥+6
𝑥2 − 4
>0
𝑥+6
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2)
>0
𝑥+6
STEP 2: Critical numbers , 𝑥 = −6, −2, 2
STEP 3:

𝑥 < −6 −6 < 𝑥 < −2 −2 < 𝑥 < 2 𝑥>2

𝑥−2 − − − +

𝑥+2 − − + +

𝑥+6 − + + +

(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 2) − + − +
𝑥+6

STEP 4:
Inequality form : −6 < 𝑥 < −2 ∪ 𝑥 > 2
Interval form : (−6, −2) ∪ (2, ∞)
Graph :

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EXERCISE 2

Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.

i. 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 > 12

𝑥−1 2
ii. +𝑥 >
3 𝑥+1
Solution:

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3.2.5 ABSOLUTE VALUE

Definition : Absolute value function

x , if x ≥ 0
i. |x| = {
−x, if x < 0

ii. |x| = √x 2

Source : Precalculus mathematics for calculus by J.Stewart, L.Redlin & S. Watsom

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EQUATION OR INEQUALITY INVOLVING ABSOLUTE FUNCTION.
Let 𝑘 > 0;

i. |𝑥| = 𝑘 Example :
|𝑥| = 3

𝑥 = − 𝑘 or 𝑥 = 𝑘 𝑥 = − 3 or 𝑥 = 3 Equation

ii. |𝑥| ≤ 𝑘 Example : Inequality

|𝑥| ≤ 3

−𝑘 ≤𝑥 ≤ 𝑘 −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3

iii. |𝑥| ≥ 𝑘 Example : Inequality

|𝑥| ≥ 3

𝑥 ≤ − 𝑘 or 𝑥 ≥ 𝑘 𝑥 ≤ − 3 or 𝑥 ≥ 3

| − 7| = |7| = 7
Distance between two real numbers, a and b = |a − b| = |b − a|.
|9 − 7| = |7 − 9| = 2

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ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS
I Modulus on one side of the ‘=‘ sign and a constant (just a number) on
the other side.
Example : |𝑥 − 3| = 4
Use : |𝑋| = 𝑘 → 𝑋 = 𝑘 or 𝑋 = −𝑘

II Modulus on both sides of the ‘=‘ sign .

Example : |2𝑥 − 1| = |𝑥 − 5|

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2

III Modulus on one side of the ‘=‘ sign and square root on the other side.

Example : |𝑥 + 1| = √𝑥 + 3

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2

IV Modulus on one side of the ‘=‘ sign and some 𝑥’s on the other side not
in a modulus.
Example : |𝑥 − 3| = 3𝑥 + 1
Use : |𝑋| = 𝑘 → 𝑋 = 𝑘 or 𝑋 = −𝑘 and check the values of 𝑥 in the
original equation.

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 Type I : Modulus on one side Example 5:
of the ‘=‘ sign and a constant (just
Solve the equations below:
a number) on the other side.

i. |𝑥 − 3| = 4

Example : |𝑥 − 3| = 4 𝑥 − 3 = −4 OR 𝑥 − 3 = 4
Use : |𝑋| = 𝑘 → 𝑋 = 𝑘 or 𝑋 = −𝑘 𝑥 = −4 + 3 OR 𝑥 = 4 + 3
𝑥 = −1 OR 𝑥 =7

ii. 3|𝑥 + 1| − 4 = 5
3|𝑥 + 1| = 5 + 4
9
|𝑥 + 1| =
3

|𝑥 + 1| = 3

𝑥 + 1 = −3 OR 𝑥 + 1 = 3
𝑥 = −3 − 1 OR 𝑥 = 3 − 1
𝑥 = −4 OR 𝑥 =2

Type 2: Modulus on both Example 6:

sides of the ‘=‘ sign .
Find the values of 𝑥 if |2𝑥 − 1| = |𝑥 − 5|.
Example : |2𝑥 − 1| = |𝑥 − 5|
Solution:
Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2
√(2𝑥 − 1)2 = √(𝑥 − 5)2
2 2
(√(2𝑥 − 1)2 ) = (√(𝑥 − 5)2 )

(2𝑥 − 1)2 = (𝑥 − 5)2

4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25
3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 24 = 0
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 0
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑥 = −4 , 𝑥=2

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 Type 3 : Modulus on one Example 7:
side of the ‘=‘ sign and square
Determine the possible values of 𝑥 if
root on the other side.
|𝑥 + 1| = √𝑥 + 3
Example : |𝑥 + 1| = √𝑥 + 3

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2
Solution:

|𝑥 + 1| = √𝑥 + 3

√(𝑥 + 1)2 = √𝑥 + 3
2 2
(√(𝑥 + 1)2 ) = (√𝑥 + 3)

(𝑥 + 1)2 = 𝑥 + 3
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 = 𝑥 + 3
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 =0
(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1) = 0
𝑥 = −2 , 𝑥 = 1

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 Type 4 : Modulus on one side Example 8:
of the ‘=‘ sign and some 𝑥’s on the
i. Find the values of 𝑥 if
other side not in a modulus.
|𝑥 − 3| = 3x + 1.
Example : |𝑥 − 3| = 3𝑥 + 1
Solution:
Use : |𝑋| = 𝑘 → 𝑋 = 𝑘 or 𝑋 = −𝑘
and check the values of 𝑥 in the Step 1: Expand the modulus
original equation.
𝑥 − 3 = 3𝑥 + 1 or 𝑥 − 3 = −(3𝑥 + 1)
2𝑥 = −4 or 𝑥 − 3 = −3𝑥 − 1
𝑥 = −2 or 4𝑥 = 2
1
𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥=
2

Step 2: Check
𝑥 = −2, LHS = |−2 − 3| = |−5| = 5
RHS = 3(−2) + 1 = −5
LHS  RHS
 𝑥 = −2 is rejected

1 1 −5 5
𝑥= , LHS = | − 3| = | | =
2 2 2 2

1 5
RHS = 3 ( ) + 1 =
2 2

LHS = RHS
1
𝑥= is the solution
2

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 Type 4 : Modulus on one ii. Find the values of 𝑥 if
side of the ‘=‘ sign and some
|4𝑥 + 3| = 3 − 𝑥.
𝑥’s on the other side not in a
modulus. Solution:
Example : |𝑥 − 3| = 3𝑥 + 1 Step 1: Expand the modulus
Use : |𝑋| = 𝑘 → 𝑋 = 𝑘 or 𝑋 = 4𝑥 + 3 = 3 − 𝑥 or 4𝑥 + 3 = −(3 − 𝑥)
−𝑘 and check the values of 𝑥
5𝑥 = 0 or 4𝑥 + 3 = −3 + 𝑥
in the original equation.
𝑥=0 or 3𝑥 = −6
𝑥=0 or 𝑥 = −2

Step 2: Check
𝑥 = 0, LHS = |0 + 3| = |3| = 3
RHS = 3 − 0 = 3
LHS = RHS
𝑥 = −2, LHS = |4(−2) + 3| = | − 5| =5
RHS = 3 − (−2) = 5
LHS = RHS
 𝑥 = 0 and 𝑥 = −2 are the solutions.

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ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES
Type I : Modulus on one side of the inequality sign and a constant (just a
number) on the other side.
Use : |𝑋| ≤ 𝑘 → −𝑘 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 𝑘
|𝑋| ≥ 𝑘 → 𝑋 ≤ −𝑘 𝑜𝑟 𝑋 ≥ 𝑘

Type 2 : Modulus on one side of the inequality sign and square root on
the other side.

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2

Type 3: Modulus on both sides of the inequality sign .

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2 for both sides

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Type I : Modulus on one side of the inequality sign and a constant (just a
number) on the other side.
Use : |𝑋| ≤ 𝑘 → −𝑘 ≤ 𝑋 ≤ 𝑘
|𝑋| ≥ 𝑘 → 𝑋 ≤ −𝑘 𝑜𝑟 𝑋 ≥ 𝑘

Example 9
Determine the possible values of x if |2 − 3x| < 5. Graph your answer on the
real number line.
Solution:
|2 − 3𝑥| < 5
−5 < 2 − 3𝑥 < 5
−5 − 2 < −3𝑥 < 5 − 2
−7 < −3𝑥 < 3
7
−1 < 𝑥 <
3
7
Interval form: (−1, )
3

Graph :

−1 7
3

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Example 10
Solve |x − 3| ≥ 9
Solution:
|𝑥 − 3| ≥ 9
𝑥 − 3 ≥ 9 or 𝑥 − 3 ≤ − 9
𝑥 ≥ 12 or 𝑥 ≤ −6
Interval form : (−∞, −6] ∪ [12, ∞)
Graph:

−6 12

Example 11
Determine the possible values of p if 6 − |2p − 5| ≤ 4.
Solution:
6 − |2𝑝 − 5| ≤ 4
−|2𝑝 − 5| ≤ -2
|2𝑝 − 5| ≥ 2

2𝑝 − 5 ≥ 2 or 2𝑝 − 5 ≤ −2
2𝑝 ≥ 7 or 2𝑝 ≤ 3
7 3
𝑝 ≥ or 𝑝 ≤
2 2

3 7
Interval form: (−∞, ] ∪ [ , ∞)
2 2

Graph:

3 7
2 2
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Type 2 : Modulus on one side of the inequality sign and square root on the

other side.

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2

Example 12

Determine the possible values of x if |x − 1| > √3 − x.

Solution:

|𝑥 − 1| > √3 − 𝑥

√(𝑥 − 1)2 > √3 − 𝑥

2 2
(√(𝑥 − 1)2 ) > (√3 − 𝑥)

(𝑥 − 1)2 > 3 − 𝑥
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 > 3 − 𝑥
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 2 > 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) > 0
Critical numbers : 𝑥 = −1, 2

𝑥 < −1 −1 < 𝑥 < 2 𝑥>2

Test number -2 0 3

𝑥−2 - - +

𝑥+1 - + +

(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 + 1) + - +

Solution : 𝑥 < −1 or 𝑥 > 2

Interval form : (−∞, −1) ∪ (2, ∞)

Graph :

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Type 3: Modulus on both sides of the inequality sign .

Use : |𝑋| = √𝑋 2 for both sides

Example 13
Determine the possible values of 𝑥 if |2𝑥| ≤ |𝑥 − 4|
Solution:
|2𝑥| ≤ |𝑥 − 4|

√(2𝑥)2 ≤ √(𝑥 − 4)2

(√(2𝑥)2 )2 ≤ (√(𝑥 − 4)2 )2

(2𝑥)2 ≤ (𝑥 − 4)2
4𝑥 2 ≤ 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 16
3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 16 ≤ 0
(3𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4) ≤ 0
4
Critical numbers : 𝑥 = −4,
3

𝑥 < −4 4 4
−4 < 𝑥 < 𝑥>
3 3

Test number -5 0 2

3𝑥 − 4 - - +

𝑥+4 - + +

(3𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 4) + - +

4
Solution : −4 ≤ 𝑥 ≤
3
4
Interval form: [−4, ]
3

Graph:

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TUTORIAL 5 : INEQUALITIES
1. Solve the inequalities and graph the solution set each of the following.
i. (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2) > 0
ii. (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 4) ≤ 0
𝑥+5
iii. ≤0
2𝑥−1
4 2
iv. −3 > –7
𝑥 𝑥
𝑥(𝑥 + 3)
v. ≤𝑥+1
𝑥−3

vi. If −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5, find 𝑎 and 𝑏 so that 𝑎 ≤ 2𝑥 + 1 ≤ 𝑏.

2. For the following exercises, solve the equations below:

i. |6 − x| = 5

ii. |5x − 2| = 11

iii. 3|5 − x| = 5
iv. 5|x − 4| − 7 = 2
v. -|x + 1| + 2 = 0
vi. 2|x − 3| + 1 = 2
1
vii. | x − 5| = 11
2

3. For the following exercises, solve the inequalities below:

i. |2 − 2x| ≤ 3
ii. |x − 3| > 9
iii. 8 − |2x − 1| ≥ 2
iv. |3x| ≤ |2x + 5|
2𝑥
v. | |≤1
𝑥+3

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