MATHEMATICS

Lecture Notes
3. Inequalities
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Samet GÜNER
Learning Goals
• Understanding the logic of linear and second-degree inequalities
• Expressing and solving business problems with inequalities
• Graphing the linear inequalities

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 2

 INEQUALITIES
An inequality is similar to an equation except that the statement is that two
expressions have a relationship other than equality, such as <, ≤, >, or ≥.
If the equality symbol = in a linear equation is replaced by an inequality symbol,
the resulting expression is called a first-degree, or linear, inequality.

A linear inequality in two variables has one of the following forms:

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 ≤ 𝑐
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 < 𝑐
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 ≥ 𝑐
𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 > 𝑐

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 3

 Properties of Inequalities
1. If 𝑎 < 𝑏, then 𝑎 ∓ 𝑐 < 𝑏 ∓ 𝑐 (addition and substraction)

2. If 𝑎 < 𝑏, then 𝑐 × 𝑎 < 𝑐 × 𝑏, 𝑖𝑓 𝑐 > 0 (multiplication)

If 𝑎 < 𝑏 then 𝑐 × 𝑎 > 𝑐 × 𝑏, 𝑖𝑓 𝑐 < 0 (multiplication)

𝑎 𝑏
3. If 𝑎 < 𝑏, then < , if 𝑐 > 0 (division)
𝑐 𝑐
𝑎 𝑏
If 𝑎 < 𝑏, then > , if 𝑐 < 0 (division)
𝑐 𝑐

4. If 𝑎 < 𝑏 and 𝑏 < 𝑐, then 𝑎 < 𝑐 (transitivity)

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 4

 Interval Notation
One-sided inequalities and two-sided inequalities are shown as follows.

In interval notation, we just write the beginning and ending numbers of the
interval, and use:
• a square bracket when we want to include the end value, or
• a round bracket when we don't want to include the end value.

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 5

 Linear Inequalities
We can perform the same operations on inequalities that we perform on
equations, except that the sense of the inequality reverses if we multiply or divide
both sides by a negative number.

Example: Solve the inequality −2𝑥 + 5 > −13 and find the solution set.

−2𝑥 > −18

𝑥<9
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: (−∞ , 9)
Hint: A solution set is the set of values which satisfy a given inequality. It means, each
and every value in the solution set will satisfy the inequality and no other value will
satisfy the inequality.
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 6
Example: 3 𝑥 − 1 < 5 𝑥 + 2 − 5 solve the inequality.

3𝑥– 3 < 5𝑥 + 10– 5

3𝑥– 3 < 5𝑥 + 5

– 2𝑥 < 8

𝑥 > −4

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: (−4 , ∞)

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 7

 3𝑥−1 8−4𝑥
Example: + ≤ −3 − 𝑥 solve the inequality.
4 3

9𝑥 − 3 + 32 − 16𝑥
≤ −3 − 𝑥
12

−7𝑥 + 29 ≤ −36 − 12𝑥

5𝑥 ≤ −65

𝑥 ≤ −13

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: (−∞, −13]

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 8

 2𝑥+1 3−𝑥
Example: +2≥𝑥+ solve the inequality.
3 2

2𝑥 + 1 + 6 2𝑥 + 3 − 𝑥
≥
3 2

4𝑥 + 14 ≥ 3𝑥 + 9

𝑥 ≥ −5

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: [−5, +∞)

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 9

Example: A market research company determined that there is a linear relationship
between children's age and weight. This relation is shown as 𝐴 = 3,15𝑡 + 22,3,
where 𝑡 is the age and 𝐴 is the weight. Since the weight of children may deviate by
4% from this equation, find the interval at which the weight of a 9-year-old will
change.

𝑡 = 9 → 𝐴 = 3.15 9 + 22.3 = 50.65

𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑎𝑧𝑙𝑎: 50.65 + 50.65 × 0.04 = 52.676

𝑒𝑛 𝑎𝑧: 50.65 − 50.65 × 0.04 = 48.624

48.624 ≤ 𝐴 ≤ 52.676

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 10

 GRAPHING A LINEAR INEQUALITY
Linear inequalities are plotted in the same way as linear equations. The only
difference is that after the graph is drawn, a feasible solution region for inequalities
is found.
First, 𝑦 value is calculated by giving 0 instead of 𝑥 in the equation. Then the value of
𝑥 is calculated by giving 0 instead of 𝑦.
The obtained 𝑥 and 𝑦 values are placed in the coordinate system and combined
with a straight line.
Then, the feasible solution region is determined on the graphic.

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 11

 Example: 𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 6 and 2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≥ 0 draw the graph of the inequality system.

𝑥+𝑦 ≥6
Interception point;
• 𝑥=0→𝑦=6 1/𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6
• 𝑦=0→𝑥=6 1/2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 0
Interception
2𝑥 − 𝑦 ≥ 0
3𝑥 = 6
• 𝑥=0→𝑦=0
𝑥 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 4
• 𝑦=0→𝑥=0
• 𝑥=1→𝑦=2
Hint: A solution region of a system of
linear inequalities is bounded if it can be
enclosed within a circle. If it cannot be
enclosed within a circle, it is unbounded.
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 12
Example: Interception point B; Production options
2𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 22 −2/𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13 𝐴 0 , 10
𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 13 1/2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 50 𝐵 5 ,8
2𝑥 + 5𝑦 ≤ 50 𝐶(9 , 4)
𝑥≥0 3𝑦 = 24 𝐷(11 , 0)
𝑦≥0 𝑥 = 5 𝑣𝑒 𝑦 = 8

draw the graph of the inequality system.

A
2𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 22 (1) 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 ≤ 50 (3) B
• 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑦 = 22 • 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑦 = 10
• 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑥 = 25
• 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑥 = 11 C
𝑥 + 𝑦 ≤ 13 (2) Interception point C; 3
1/2𝑥 + 𝑦 = 22 D
• 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑦 = 13 −1/𝑥 + 𝑦 = 13
1 2
• 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑥 = 13
𝑥=9
𝑥 = 9 𝑣𝑒 𝑦 = 4
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 13
Example: Interception point B; Production options;
5𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 20 1/5𝑥 + 𝑦 = 20 𝐴 0 , 20
𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 12 −1/𝑥 + 𝑦 = 12 𝐵 2 , 10
𝑥 + 3𝑦 ≥ 18 A 𝐶(9 , 3)
𝑥≥0 4𝑥 = 8 𝐷(18 , 0)
𝑦≥0 𝑥 = 2 𝑣𝑒 𝑦 = 10

draw the graph of the inequality system.

5𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 20 (1) 𝑥 + 3𝑦 ≥ 18 (3) B

• 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑦 = 20 • 𝑥=0→𝑦=6
• 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑥 = 18
• 𝑦=0→𝑥=4 C
Interception point C; 3
𝑥 + 𝑦 ≥ 12 (2) D
−1/𝑥 + 𝑦 = 12
• 𝑥 = 0 → 𝑦 = 12 1/𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 18
1 2
• 𝑦 = 0 → 𝑥 = 12
2𝑦 = 6
𝑥 = 9 𝑣𝑒 𝑦 = 3
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 14
Example: A manufacturer produces two types of products, namely A and B. Each of
these products require some processes as shown in table.

Processing time (hours)

Product
Casting Coating Assembly
𝐴 5 3 4
𝐵 5 5 2

Capacities of casting, coating and assembly are 125, 150 and 80 hours, respectively.
Find the possible production combination.

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 15

First, let's express the capacity of each department according to the data in the
table. The values in the table show the maximum capacities of the departments. In
practice, not all of these capacities need to be used, but these capacities should
not be exceeded. For this reason, a system of inequality should be established
rather than an equality system.

Casting department: 5𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 125

Coating department: 3𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 150
Assembly department: 4𝐴 + 2𝐵 ≤ 80

Since the production amount of A and B cannot be less than zero, the following
inequalities should also be included in the system:
𝐴 ≥ 0 𝑣𝑒 𝐵 ≥ 0
Now that the inequality system is complete, and a solution can be found using
graphics.
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 16
5𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 125 Interception point: Production options:
3𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 150 4/5𝐴 + 5𝐵 = 125 𝐾 0 , 25
4𝐴 + 2𝐵 ≤ 80 −5/4𝐴 + 2𝐵 = 80 𝐿 15 , 10
𝑀 (20 , 0)
𝐴 ≥ 0 𝑣𝑒 𝐵 ≥ 0 20𝐴 + 20𝐵 = 500
5𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 125 (1) −20𝐴 − 10𝐵 = −400

• 𝐴 = 0 → 𝐵 = 25 10𝐵 = 100
𝐴 = 15 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = 10
• 𝐵 = 0 → 𝐴 = 25
3𝐴 + 5𝐵 ≤ 150 (2) K
• 𝐴 = 0 → 𝐵 = 30
• 𝐵 = 0 → 𝐴 = 50 Feasible
L
Intercept.
Solution
4𝐴 + 2𝐵 ≤ 80 (3) Region
• 𝐴 = 0 → 𝐵 = 40 M
2
• 𝐵 = 0 → 𝐴 = 20 3
1

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 17

If one of these alternative production quantities, for example 𝐿 (15, 10), is
selected, how much would the production capacities of the departments be used?

𝐼𝑓 𝐴 = 15 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐵 = 10;

Departman Capacity Capacity Used Slack Capacity

Casting 125 5 15 + 5 10 = 125 -
Coating 150 3 15 + 5 10 = 95 55
Assembly 80 4 15 + 2 10 = 80 -

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 18

 Second Degree Inequalities
To find the solution set of quadratic inequalities, the roots of the inequality are
examined.
The calculated roots are placed on a sign table.

𝐼𝑓 ∆= 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0

𝑥 −∞ 𝑥1 𝑥2 +∞
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 Sign is same with 𝑎 Sign is opposite of 𝑎 Sign is same with 𝑎

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 19

 𝐼𝑓 ∆= 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0
𝑥 −∞ 𝑥1 = 𝑥2 +∞
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 Sign is same with 𝑎 Sign is same with 𝑎

𝐼𝑓 ∆= 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0

𝑥 −∞ +∞
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 Sign is same with 𝑎

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 20

Example: 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 > 0 solve the inequality.
Let’s find the roots of inequality.
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
x -1
x -3
𝑥 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 3
Let's put these roots in the sign table. Form the sign table according to the
coefficient of 𝑥 2 .
𝑥 −∞ 𝟏 𝟑 +∞
𝑥 2 − 𝟒𝑥 + 𝟑 > 𝟎 + − +
Since the inequality is not equal to 0, the roots, 1 and 3, are not included in the
solution set. We can use the sign to show this. Since the inequality is greater than
0, positive fields are sought. In this case, the solution set is:

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: −∞ , 1 𝑣𝑒 (3 , +∞)

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 21
Example: 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 ≤ 0 solve the inequality.
Let’s find the roots of inequality.
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 − 6 = 0
x -6
x 1
𝑥 = −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 6
Let's put these roots in the sign table. Form the sign table according to the
coefficient of 𝑥 2 .
𝑥 −∞ −𝟏 𝟔 +∞
𝑥 2 − 𝟓𝑥 − 𝟔 ≤ 𝟎 + − +
Since the inequality is not equal to 0, the roots, 1 and 3, are not included in the
solution set. We can use the sign to show this. Since the inequality is greater than
0, positive fields are sought. In this case, the solution set is:
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: −1 , 6
That means, 𝑥 must be between −1 and 6 to ensure the negativity of the inequality.
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 22
Example: 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 < 0 solve the inequality.

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0
x -1
x -1
𝑥=1
Let's put this root in the sign table.
𝑥 −∞ 𝟏 +∞
𝑥 2 − 𝟐𝑥 + 𝟏 < 𝟎 + +
Since the inequality is less than 0, negative fields should be sought. However, as can
be seen from the sign table, this inequality takes positive values in all value ranges.
So whatever value we substitute for 𝑥 in this inequality, the result will always be
positive. Therefore, since there is no value to make this inequality less than 0, there
is no solution set.
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: ∅
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 23
Example: −2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 ≥ 0 solve the inequality.

−2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 = 0
-2x 3
x -1
3
𝑥 = 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = = 1,5
2
Let's put this root in the sign table.
𝑥 −∞ 𝟏 𝟏, 𝟓 +∞
−𝟐𝑥 2 + 𝟓𝑥 − 𝟑 ≥ 𝟎 − + −
The inequality is ≥, so the roots, 1 and 1.5 are included in the solution. Since the
inequality is greater than 0, positive fields are sought. In this case, the solution set
is:
𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: 1 , 1.5

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 24

Example: 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 9 < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 > 0 find the solution set of this
inequality system.

𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 − 9 = 0 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0
x 1 x -2
x -9 x -4

𝑥1 = −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 = 9 𝑥1 = 2 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 = 4

𝑥 −∞ −𝟏 𝟐 𝟒 𝟗 +∞
𝑥 2 − 𝟖𝑥 − 𝟗 < 𝟎 + − − − + −
𝑥 2 − 𝟔𝑥 + 𝟖 > 𝟎 + + − + + +

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑒𝑡: −1 , 2 ∪ 4 , 9

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 25

 Inequalities in Business Problems
Example: A company gives you the opportunity to choose between two options
that determine your salary. The first method pays $12.600 per year and gives a
bonus of 2% of your annual sales. In the other method, only 8% commission is
given on your sales. What annual amount of sales makes the second option
advantageous?
12.600 + 0,02𝑥 < 0,08𝑥
12.600 < 0,06𝑥
𝑥 > 210.000 𝑇𝐿

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 26

Example: A travel company has set a price of $100 per person for a group of 10
students. The company will make a discount of $5 per person if the number of
group is more than 10 people. The company wants its revenue not to be less than
the revenue it will generate from 10 students. In this case, how many people can
the maximum number of groups be increased?
Let 𝑥 to show the increasing number of people
# of Price per Revenue from
students student 10 students
(10 + 𝑥)(100 − 5𝑥) ≥ 1000
1000 − 50𝑥 + 100𝑥 − 5𝑥 2 ≥ 1000
−5𝑥 2 + 50𝑥 ≥ 0
−𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 ≥ 0
10𝑥 ≥ 𝑥 2
𝑥 ≤ 10
Accordingly, the number of group can be increased by a maximum of 10 people.

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 27

Example: A company produces umbrellas and gives a labor fee of $2 per umbrella
to its employees during working hours. Overtime wage goes up to $4. The
management requires that the weekly labor cost should not exceed $30,000. Since
the company has to produce 12,000 umbrellas per week, what is the minimum
number of umbrellas that should be produced during working hours?

Let 𝑥 to denote number of production during working hours

12.000 − 𝑥 = 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
2𝑥 + [4 × 12.000 − 𝑥 ] ≤ 30.000
2𝑥 + 48.000 − 4𝑥 ≤ 30.000
−2𝑥 ≤ −18.000
𝑥 ≥ 9.000

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 28

Example: A company produces socks and has 2500 products in its stocks. The
selling price of the product is $4. The company plans to increase prices by $0.5 next
month. However, the company requires that the income to be obtained from the
sale of 2500 products should not be less than $10.750. Assuming that the entire
product in stocks will be sold, how many products can be sold at the regular price
during this month?
𝑥 → 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ
2500 − 𝑥 → 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑥𝑡 𝑚𝑜𝑛𝑡ℎ
4𝑥 + 4,5 2500 − 𝑥 ≥ 10.750
4𝑥 + 11.250 − 4,5𝑥 ≥ 10.750
−0,5𝑥 ≥ −500
𝑥 ≤ 1000

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 29

Exercises
1) −3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 < 0 find the solution set.
2) A textile company is considering buying or renting a knitting machine that it
needs. In case of purchase, the annual fixed cost will be $4000 and the daily
maintenance cost will be $40. In case of leasing for $600 per month over the
annual contract, daily expenses will be $20. Calculate the minimum number of
days the company should use the machine each year for it to choose to lease
rather than purchase.

Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 30

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

Who cares about inequality!

[email protected]
Sakarya Business School, Mathematics Lecture Notes 31