CHAPTER – 3

INEQUALITIES AND MODULUS

If 'a' is any real number, then 'a' is either positive or – If the sum of two positive quantities is given, their
negative or zero. When ‘a’ is positive, we write a > 0 which product is the greatest when they are equal; and if the
is read 'a is greater than zero'. When ‘a’ is negative, we product of two positive quantities is given, their sum
write a < 0 which is read 'a is less than zero'. If ‘a’ is zero,
is the least when they are equal.
we write a = 0 and in this case, ‘a’ is neither positive nor
negative.
– If a > b and c > d, then we cannot say anything
conclusively about the relationship between (a – b)
Symbols and Notations:
and (c – d); depending on the values of a, b, c and d,
‘>’ means ‘greater than’ it is possible to have
‘<’ means ‘less than’
‘’ means ‘greater than or equal to’ (a – b) > (c – d), (a – b) = (c – d) or (a – b) < (c – d)
‘’ means ‘less than or equal to’
When two numbers a and b have to be compared, we
For any two non-zero real numbers a and b, can use one of the following two methods:
(i) a is said to be greater than b when a – b is positive.
(ii) a is said to be less than b when a – b is negative. – If both a and b are positive, we can take the ratio a/b
These two statements are written as and depending on whether a/b is less than, equal to
(i) a > b when a – b > 0 and or greater than 1, we can conclude that a is less than,
(ii) a < b when a – b < 0. equal to or greater than b.
For example,
In other words, for two positive numbers a and b,
3 is greater than 2 because 3 – 2 = 1 and 1 is greater than
if a/b < 1 then a < b
zero. –3 is less than –2 because –3 – (–2) = –1 and –1 is
if a/b = 1 then a = b
less than zero.
if a/b > 1 then a > b
Certain properties and useful results pertaining to
– If one or both of a and b are not positive or we do not
inequalities are given below. A thorough understanding of
these properties/results is very essential for being able to know whether they are positive, negative or zero,
solve the problems pertaining to inequalities. then we can take the difference of a and b and
depending on whether (a – b) is less than, equal to or
[In the following list of properties and results, numbers like greater than zero, we can conclude that a is less than,
a, b, c, d, etc. are real numbers]
equal to or greater than b.
– For any two real numbers a and b, either a > b or
a < b or a = b. In other words, for any two real numbers a and b,
– If a < b, then a  b and if a > b, then a  b. if a – b < 0, then a < b,
– If a > b and b > c, then a > c. if a – b = 0, then a = b,
– If a < b and b < c, then a < c. if a – b > 0, then a > b.
– If a > b, then a  c > b  c.
– If a > b and c > 0, then ac > bc. – For any positive number x  1,
– If a < b and c > 0, then ac < bc. x
 1
– If a > b and c < 0, then ac < bc. 2  1    2.8.
– If a < b and c < 0, then ac > bc.  x
– If a > b and c > d, then a + c > b + d.
– If a < b and c < d, then a + c < b + d. The equality in the first part will occur only if x = 1.
– The square of any real number is always greater than
or equal to 0. – For any positive number, the sum of the number and
– The square of any non-zero real number is always its reciprocal is always greater than or equal to 2,
greater than 0. 1
– If a > 0, then –a < 0 and if a > b, then –a < –b. i.e. x   2 where x > 0. The equality in this
x
– If a and b are positive numbers and a > b, then
relationship will occur only when x = 1.
(i) 1/a < 1/b,
(ii) a/c > b/c if c > 0 and
(iii) a/c < b/c if c < 0. Absolute Value:
– For any two positive numbers a and b,
If a > b, then a2 > b2. (written as |x| and read as "modulus of x")
If a2 > b2, then a > b.
For any real number x, the absolute value is defined as
If a > b, then for any positive value of n, an > bn.
follows:
– Let, A, G and H be the Arithmetic mean, Geometric
mean and Harmonic mean respectively of n positive
 x, if x  0 and
real numbers. Then A  G  H, the equality occurring x 
only when the numbers are all equal.  x, if x  0

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Properties of Modulus: 3.03. Express the following in the interval notation.
(A) All real numbers less than 2
For any two real numbers x and y, (B) All real numbers greater than or equal to 3

1. x = 0  x = 0 Sol. (A) (, 2), i.e.  < x < 2

2. x  0 and –x  0 (B) [3, ), i.e. 3  x < 
3. x + y  x + y
4. x – y   x – y 3.04. If 13x  19  4x  26, find the range of x.
5. –x  x  x
6. x · y = xy Sol. 13x  4x  26  19
x  5.
x x
7.  ; ( y  0) (, 5] in the interval notation.
y y
8. x2 = x2 3.05. Solve the following inequalities : 5x  21 < 46 and
4x  18 < 54.
In inequalities, the variables generally take a range of
values unlike in the case of equations where the variables Sol. 5x  21 < 46  x < 5  (1)
in general, take one value or a finite set of values. 4x  18 < 54  x < 9  (2)
The common inequality satisfying (1) and (2) is
Interval Notation: x < 5 or (, 5) in the interval notation.

Generally, the solution set or the range of values satisfied 3.06. Which of the numbers 5051 and 5150 is greater?
by inequalities are not discrete.
Sol. Let a = 5051 and b = 5150.
50 50
So it is important to understand the “interval notation”. b 5150  51   1   1   1 
     = 1    
a 50 51  50   50   50   50 
(a, b) read as “open interval a, b” means all real numbers
x
between a and b excluding a and b (a < b).  1
[a, b] read as “closed interval a, b” means all real numbers  1   where x > 0 always lies between 2 and
 x
between a and b including a and b (a < b).
[a, b) means all numbers between a and b, with a being 2.8.
included and b excluded (a < b). b
 lies between
The problems on inequalities normally fall into 3 categories: a
2
(a) consisting of first degree expressions in x. = 0.04 and
50
(b) consisting of second degree expressions in x, directly in
the problem or consisting single expression which 2.8
= 0.056
reduces to quadratic expression. 50
(c) consisting of expressions including “modulus”. b
 <1
An example of each category is given below. a
 a > b.
Examples:
3.07. Solve the simultaneous inequations:
3.01. Express all real numbers between 2 and 10 in the 10x  7 > 2x  39 and 9x  14 > 11x  28
interval form where
(A) 2 and 10 are excluded. Sol. 10x  7 > 2x  39  x > 4  (1)
(B) 2 and 10 are included. 9x  14 > 11x  28  x < 7  (2)
(C) 2 is included and 10 is excluded. From (1) and (2), 4 < x < 7
(D) 2 is excluded and 10 is included.
3.08. Solve for x if 4x2  21x  20 > 0
Sol. (A) (2, 10) i.e., 2 < x < 10 and x is a real number.
(B) [2, 10] i.e., 2  x  10 and x is a real number. Sol. 4x2  21x  20 > 0  (4x  5) (x  4) > 0
(C) [2, 10) i.e., 2  x < 10 and x is a real number. Both factors are positive (i.e. the smaller is positive)
(D) (2, 10] i.e., 2 < x  10 and x is a real number. or both are negative (i.e. the greater is negative)
5
i.e., x > 4 or x <
3.02. Express the following in the interval notation. 4
(A) All non-negative real numbers or it can be expressed in the interval notation as
(B) All non-positive real numbers 5
(C) All non-zero real numbers (4, )  (, )
4
(D) All real numbers
x 2  5 x  24
Sol. (A) [0, ) i.e., 0  x <  3.09. Solve for x, if <0
(B) (, 0] i.e.,  < x  0 2x 2  5 x  3
(C) (, 0)  (0, ) Sol. x2  5x  24 = (x  8) (x  3)
(D) (,) Similarly, 2x2  5x  3 = (2x  1) (x  3)

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 Given:
x 2  5x  24
0
x  8x  3 < 0 3.15. If 2x  3y = 30 where x, y > 0, find the maximum
value of x2y3.
2
2x  5 x  3 2x  1x  3
x8 2 3
 <0  2x   3 y 
2x  1 Sol. x2y3 =    
 2   3 
x  82x  1  0
sum of all the factors of the above expression
2x  12  2x   3y 
 1 = 2  3 
 (x  8)  x   < 0  2   3 
 2
= 2x  3y = 30 (a constant)
1
8<x< .
2 When the sum of two or more positive quantities
is constant their product is maximum when all the
3.10. Solve the inequality 3x  6 > 12. quantities are equal.

Sol. The modulus of any number is always non-negative. 2 3

 2x   3 y  2x 3 y
 3x  6  0.      is maximum when  ,
 2   3  2 3
 The given inequality is always satisfied.
  < x <  i.e. x = y.
When x = y, 2x  3y = 5y = 30
3.11. Solve the inequality 2x  4 < 6.  y = 6.
 Maximum value = 62. 63 = 7776.
Sol. The modulus of any number is always non-negative.
 2x  4  0 Note: When the expression ax + by is constant, the
 The given inequality will never hold. ax by
There is no solution. maximum value of xmyn is realized when  .
m n
3.12. Solve for x: 2x  3 = 5
Model 2:
Sol. 2x  3 = 5 or 2x  3 = 5 If xmyn = k where x > 0, y > 0 and m and n are positive
(If y = a, y = a)  x = 4 or x = 1. integers, minimise ax + by where a > 0, b > 0.

3.13. Solve the inequality |4x  5| > 3 3.16. If x, y are positive and xy2 = 216, find the
minimum value of 32x  y.
Sol. From the definition of modulus,
5 Sol. The given condition (C) is xy2 = 216. We need the
|4x  5| = 4x  5 if 4x  5  0 i.e., x  minimum value of the expression E : 32x  y. If the
4
product of several factors is constant, we can
5
= (4x  5) if x < obtain the minimum value of the sum of all the
4 factors. We should modify C, so that the sum of all
5 the factors is E. After modifying, 8(xy2) = 8 (216).
 If x  , 4x – 5 > 3  x > 2
4 We should think of the factors on the
5 1 y y
and If x < , 4x  5 > 3  x < LHS as 32x, and . The sum of these factors
4 2 2 2
is E.
3.14. Find the maximum value of g(x) = 16   x  6;  y  y 
C  (32x)     = 8 (216)
x  R.  2  2 
Sol. g (x) is maximum when  x  6 is minimum. The sum of the 3 factors, i.e. 32x  y is minimum,
The minimum value of the modulus of all y
when 32x = = 2 (6) = 12
numbers is 0. 2
 The maximum value of g(x) = 16  0 = 16. Thus, minimum value is 24  12 = 36

Some useful models: Note: When the expression xmyn is constant, the
minimum value of ax + by is realized when
Quite often, when dealing with positive real numbers we ax by
come across situations where the sum (or product) of certain  .
m n
variables is given and we are required to maximise
(or minimise) the product (or sum) of the same. We illustrate Model 3:
the technique involved with a couple of examples. The greatest value of (a – x)m (b + x)n, for any real value
of x numerically less than a, b and m, n  Z+, occurs when
Model 1: a x b x an  bm
If ax + by = k where a, b, x, y are all positive, maximise  or at x = .
m n mn
xmyn where m and n are positive integers.
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3.17. Find the maximum value of (9 – x)2(–4 + x)3. abc 
m
am  bm  c m
(ii) if m = 0 or 1, 
3   3
 
Sol. m = 2, n = 3 are positive integers. The given
m
9x x4 am  bm  c m  a  b  c 
expression is maximum when  (iii) if 0 < m < 1,    .
2 3 3  3 
x=7 The equality holds if a = b = c.
 The maximum value is (9 – 7)2 (– 4 + 7)3
= 22 33 = 108 (3  x ) ( 6  x )
3.18. Find the minimum value of .
2 x
Model 4:
If a and b are two positive numbers, the mean of their mth Sol. Let E =
3  x  6  x  =
2  x  1 2  x  4
powers (say M) and the mth power of their mean (say P) 2x 2x
are related as follows, depending on the value of M.
=
2  x 
2
 52  x   4
(i) If m < 0 or m > 1, then P is less than or equal to M. 2x
m
ab  am  bm   4 
i.e.,      = ( 2  x )  5    = F + 5.
 2   2  2 x
 
2 The minimum value of F is obtained as follows.
ab a2  b2 
(For example,   
 2  2  Since x > –2  2 + x > 0
 4   4 
The equality holds if a = b.  A.M  2  x,   G.M  2  x, 
 2  x   2  x 
(ii) If m = 0 or 1, then P = M
0
=2
ab a0  b0 4
i.e.,    =1 and  2x   4 (The equality holds if and
 2  2 2x
1
ab a1  b1 ab 4
   = only if 2  x  . As x + 2 > 0, this means
 2  2 2 2 x
2 + x = 2)
(iii) If 0 < m < 1, then M is less than or equal to P.
m (3  x ) 6  x 
am  bm ab  Emin = Min 9
i.e., ≤   2x
2  2 
The generalisation of this is given below
a b ab
(For example,  ) The equality Model 5:
2 2
holds if a = b. The minimum value of
x  a x  b , where a > c, b > c
xc
This rule can be extended for 3 or more quantities.
If a > 0, b > 0, c > 0, then and x + c > 0 is given by a – c + b – c + 2 a  c b  c 

abc 
m m
a b c m m and the corresponding value of x is a c  b  c   c .
(i) If m < 0 or m > 1, 
3   3
.
 
The equality holds if a = b = c.

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 Concept Review Questions
Directions for questions 1 to 30: For the Multiple Choice Questions, select the correct alternative from the given choices.
For the Non-Multiple Choice Questions, write your answer in the box provided.

1. (a) The set of all real numbers lying between 3 and 13. Solve: 7x  5  5x  19.
4 is represented as (A) x  2 (B) x  2 (C) x  2 (D) x  2
(A) [3, 4) (B) (3, 4] (C) (3, 4) (D) [3, 4]
14. The solution set of the inequality 9x  5 < 7x  27 is
(b) The set of all real numbers lying between 5 and (A) (2,  ) (B) (  , 2)(C) (2,  ) (D) (  , 2)
6 including 5 is represented as
(A) (5, 6) (B) [5, 6) (C) [5, 6] (D) (5, 6] 15. If –2x  8 then
(A) x  8 (B) x  4 (C) x  8 (D) x  –4
(c) The set of all real numbers from 4 to 6 is
represented as 16. (a) If 2x + 7  9x then
(A) [4, 6] (B) (4, 6) (C) [4, 6) (D) (4, 6] (A) x  1 (B) x < 1 (C) x  1 (D) x > 1
2. When x < 0, then |x| = (b) If 4x + 34  7x + 31, then
(A) 0 (B) x (C) x (D) x (A) x  1 (B) x  1 (C) x  – 1 (D) x  – 1

3. If a > b and c > 0, then which of the following (c) If 5x – 17  2x – 15, then
statements is / are true? 2 2 2 2
(A) x  (B) x  (C) x  (D) x 
(A) a  c > b  c (B) a  c > b  c 3 3 3 3
(C) ac > bc (D) All the above
17. (a) If 5x + 3  7x – 9, then
4. If a < b and c < 0 then which of the following is true? (A) x  –6 (B) x  6 (C) x  6 (D) x  –6
a b
(A) ac < bc (B)  (b) If 4x + 3  3x – 12, then
c c (A) x  5 (B) x  –15 (C) x  5 (D) x  –15
(C) ac > bc (D) None of these
18. If 5x – 8  2x + 9 and 4x + 7  7x – 8, then the range
1 of x is
5. When x > 0, the minimum value of x  is
x (A) (5, ) (B) (–, 5)
 1
x
(C) 5, 17 3 (D) −∞, 17 3
6. The value of 1   , for some positive real number
 x
x is lies in which of the following intervals? 1 1
19. If  and x > 0, then which of the following
(A) [2.5, 3.5] (B) (2, 3) 3x  1 3
(C) [2, 3) (D) [1, 2) holds?
(A) 3x + 1  3 (B) 1 < 3x + 1  3
7. If p and q are two real numbers, then which of the (C) –(3x + 1)  3 (D) 3x + 1  1/3
following statements is always true?
p 20. Solve: 2x  3  7 and 5x  7 < 3.
(A) <1p<q (A)  (B) [5,  ) (C) (, 2) (D) [2, 5]
q
p 21. Which of the following is always true?
(B) p > 0, q > 0 and >1p>q (A) x > y  x2 > y2.
q
(B) x > y  x2 < y2.
p (C) If x > 0, y > 0 and x > y, then x2 > y2.
(C) >1p>q
q (D) None of the above
(D) All the above
22. (a) The solution set of the inequality |2x  1| < 0 is
8. All real numbers less than or equal to 5 are included in  1 1 
(A) (, 5] (B) (, 5) (A)   ,   (B)  ,  
 2 2 
(C) (, 3)  (5, ) (D) (5, )
 1 
(C)   ,   (D) 
9. If  3  x  8, then x belongs to  2 
(A) (3, 8) (B) [3, 8) (C) [3, 8] (D) (3, 8)
(b) The solution set of the inequality |2x  3|  0 is
(A)  (B)  3 ,  
10. If 3x  7  5, then the maximum of x is 2 
(C) R (D) None of these
11. If 7x  4  31, then the minimum value of x is 23. If x2 – 9 x – 36 is negative, then find the range of x.
(A) (3, 12) (B) [3, 12] (C) (12, 3) (D) [12, 3]

24. Solve x 2  16 = 0.
12. If 8  12x  16 then the maximum value of x is
(A) {0, 4} (B) [–4, 4]
(C) (–4, 4) (D) {–4, 4}
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25. (a) Solve for x: 5x2 – 3x – 2  0. 27. If 5x  7  12, then the positive value of x is
 2   2 
(A)  ,1 (B) R –  ,1
5   5 
(C) [1, ) (D) R – (0, 1)
28. If (x + 5) (x + 9) (x + 3)2  0, then the solution set for
(b) The number of integral values of x, that do not the inequality is
(A) (–9, – 3) (B) (–9, –5)
x 5
satisfy the inequation  0 is (C) (– 3, ) (D) (–9, )
x2
29. Which of the following is true?
(c) Solve for x: 4x2 – 7x – 30  0
x x
 15   15  (A) xy  x  y (B)  ,y0
(A)   2,  (B)  2,  y y
 4   4
 15  (C) xy  x  y (D) All the above
(C) (–, –2) (D)  2, 
 4 
30. If 6x + 8  7x – 9 and 4x – 7  6x – 3, then the range
of the values of x is
26. The solution set of the inequality x  5  9 is (A) (– 17, 2) (B) (2, 17)
(A) (0, 14) (B) (– 4, 14) (C) (– 4, 0) (D) (9, 14) (C) (– 2, 17) (D) (– , 17)

Exercise  3(a)
Directions for questions 1 to 30: For the Multiple Choice Questions, select the correct alternative from the given choices.
For the Non-Multiple Choice Questions, write your answer in the box provided.

1. Find the range of the values of x satisfying the 8. (a) The minimum value of 6 + |4  7x| is
inequalities 3x + 4  5 and 8x  13  19.
(A) [4, 3] (B) [3, 4]
(C) ( , 3]  [4, ] (D) (–3, 4) 21
(b) For what value of x is |x  3|+ maximum?
2
2. Find the range of the values of x satisfying
8  3x  5 and 4x + 5  7.
(A) [3, 1] (B) ( , 3]  [1, )
(C) (3, 1) (D)  (c) The maximum value of 3  |2x  1| is

3. What are the values of x that satisfy the inequality

x2 + x + 90 > 0? 9. If n is an integer satisfying (n – 7)(n – 9) – 3(2n – 3) ≤ 0,
(A) ( , 9)  (10, ) (B) (10, 9) how many values does n take?
(C) (9, 10) (D) ( , 10)  (9, )

4. What are the values of x that satisfy the inequality

4x2 + x  5 > 0? 10. If the sum of the squares of two numbers is 127, then
(A) (–5/4, 1) (B) (–1, 5/4) which of the following cannot be their product?
(C) ( , 1)  (5/4, ) (D) (–, –5/4)  (1, ) (A) 21 (B) 42 (C) 63 (D) 84

5. What are the values of x that satisfy the inequality 11. Find the range of all values of x if |2x + 3|  7.
2x  3 (A) (5, 2) (B) [5, 2]
 3, (x  4)? (C) (–5, –2) (D) ( , 5]  [2, )
x4
(A) ( , 4)  (–9/5, ) 12. Find the range of all values of x if |3x + 5| < 5x  11.
(B) (– , –9/5)  (4, ) (A) (8, ) (B) (– , –5/3)  (8, )
(C) (–4, –9/5)
(C) (–5/3, 8) (D) (–5/3, )
(D) (–9/5, 4)

6. What are the values of x that satisfy the inequality 13. If x, y, z are positive numbers, then which of the
following holds?
3x 2  7x  6
< 0, (x  R x  1, 8)? (A) (x + y) (y + z) (z + x)  8xyz
x 2  9x  8 (B) (xy + yz + zx)2  3xyz(x + y + z)
(A) (–3, 2/3)  (1, 8) 1 1 1 1 1 1
(B) [ , 3)  (2/3, 1)  (8, ) (C) 2  2  2   
x y z xy yz xz
(C) [1, 8]
(D) (–3, 2/3)  (8, ) (D) All the above

7. Which of the following is/are true? 14. If ac = bd = 2, then the minimum value of
(A) 3031 < 3130 (B) 7169 > 7070
29
(C) (155) < (150) 30
(D) Both (B) and (C) a2 + b2 + c2 + d2 is

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 23. The minimum value of
15. If x, y > 0 and x + y = 3 then
(A) xy  0.72 (B) xy  1.8 3
 3
1
a b
a b c  3
3
3
 2

c 3  b3  c 3 
2

a3  a3  c 3 b
2 3

(C) xy  2.25 (D) xy  1.25
where a, b, c are positive numbers is ______.
16. The number of integral solutions of the inequality (A) 10 (B) 12 (C) 15 (D) 18
|x  5| + |x 1| < 2 is
24. The solution set of the inequality x2 – 14x + 56  0 is
17. Find the number of integers satisfying the inequality (A) R – (3, 7) (B) R – {3, 7}
(3x2  7x  6) (x2  5x + 4) < 0. (C)  (D) R
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 0 (D) 3
25. If 5x  3  14 and x  0, then x >
18. The difference between the largest and the
smallest integer that satisfies the inequality
1 2 7 26. The number of distinct solutions of the equation
 ; x  is
2x  7 9 2 x2 – 15 | x | + 56 = 0 is

19. Find the range of values of x that satisfies

|x  16| > x2  7x + 24. 27. The number of distinct solutions of the equation

3 5 2x  5x  3  18 is
(A) (0, 2) (B)  ,  (C) (1, 3) (D) (2, 4)
 2 2
28. If x, y, z are positive, then the value of
20. For which of the following range of values of x is
x2 + x less than x3 + 1? (4x 2  x  4) (5y 2  y  5) (7z 2  z  7)
can be
(A) ( , 1) (B) (1, ) xyz
(C) (–1, 1)  (1, ) (D) [–1, 1] (A) 400 (B) 500 (C) 1000 (D) 1500
21. (a) If a2 b3 = (540) (35)2, then the minimum value of 29. The range of a for which ax2  6x + 9 > 0 for all real
5a + 7b is values of x is
(A) 200 (B) 70 (C) 175 (D) 105
(A) (, 1) (B) (1, ) (C) (1, 1) (D) ( 1)
(b) If a + b + c = 24, then the maximum value of
a2 b3 c is 30. The range of x for which 2x2  5x  8  |2x2 + x| is
(A) 23 310 (B) 63 210 (C) 63 28 (D) 214 33  4   4 
(A)  ,   (B)   ,1
 3   3 
22. The product of the roots of |x2  x  12| = x + 3
(C) [1, ) (D) [1, 2]
is

Exercise  3(b)
Directions for questions 1 to 40: For the Multiple Choice Questions, select the correct alternative from the given choices.
For the Non-Multiple Choice Questions, write your answer in the box provided.
Very Easy / Easy… … ……… … 6. If 3x – 7  6x + 8 and 2x – 5  7x + 10, then the range
of the values of x that satisfies the inequalities is
1. If x  4, y  2, which of the following is necessarily (A) [–5, –3] (B) (–, –3)
true? (C) (– , –5] (D) [–5, )
(A) xy  8 (B) x + y > 2
(C) x  y  6 (D) (A) and (B) 7. Which of the following is/are true?
. If a  b  ac  bc
2. The solution set of the system of inequations
 If a  b  a – c  b – c
x2  5x + 6 > 0 and x2  3x + 2 > 0 is
(A) (, 2) (B) (, 1)  (3, ) (A) Only  (B) Only 
(C) (1, 3) (D) (1, ) (C) Both  and  (D) Neither  nor 
8. A = {x : x |x  5| = 6, x  N} A =
3. The number of integral values of x, for which (A) {2, 3, 6} (B) {1, 2, 3}
x3 (C) {1, 2, 3, 6} (D) {1, 3, 6}
< 0 is
x2
Moderate… … … . .
4. The maximum value of the expression 10  3x  5 9. The number of integral values of x, for which the
is x5
inequation > 4 is satisfied, is
x 7
5. At what value of x is |2x  7|  8 minimum?
7 7 10. If x, y, z are positive numbers and xyz = 216, which of
(A) 8 (B) (C)  (D) 15 the following is not a possible value of xy + yz + zx?
2 2
(A) 326 (B) 433 (C) 291 (D) 96
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11. If 1  x  3 and 2  y  5, then the minimum value of 25. The number of integral values of x that satisfy the
xy
is inequation x  3  x  4  7 is
y
26. The solution set of the system of inequations
12. The solution set for the inequation 3x + 2 < 2x + 5 3x + 17 < 5x  19 and 4x + 15 > 9x + 21.
< 8x + 9 is (A) (18, ) (B) R
 2  2 
(A)   , 3  (B)  , 3  (C)  (D) −∞,
 3  3 
 2   2  27. For which of the following value of x does the
(C)  , 3 (D)  , 4  expression x  3  x  5 + 7 have its least value?
 3   3 
(A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 7 (D) 5
13. If 2x + 3y = 10, where x and y are positive numbers
28. For how many integral values of x, is the expression
then the maximum value of x3 y2 is 9  4x  5x2 non-negative?
(A) 7 (B) 6 (C) 5 (D) 3

x 2  7 x  10 29. If x, y are positive and xy = 27, then the minimum

14. The solution set of the inequality 2
< 1 is
x  6x  40 value of 3x + 4y is

(A)  , 
70 50
(B)   10 , 50   (4, )

 13 3   13 
30. Find the range of values of x for which |x + 4| < 3x  7.
(A) (11/2, ) (B) (3/4, )
(C) (4, ) (D) R  (–4, 0)
(C) (–, 3/4) (D) (3/4, 11/2)
15. If b  5 and x = a b, which of the following is true? 31. If x, y and z are positive numbers and x + y + z equals
(A) a  xb > 0 (B) a + xb < 0 k, then xy + yz + zx will be _____.
(C) a + xb > 0 (D) a – xb  0 k2 k2
(A) at most (B) at least
3 3
16. The number of solutions of the equation x  x  2 = 6
k2 k2
(C) less than (D) more than
is 3 3

32. If –3 < x < 5, –7 < y < 12 and z = 3x – 4y, then which

17. If a, b and c are positive numbers and a3 + b3 + c3 = 27, of the following is the range of z?
(A) –57 < z < 43 (B) 19 < z < –33
then the maximum value of abc is (C) 19 < z < 43 (D) –57 < z < –33

18. Let a1, a2¸- - - a3n be 3n positive numbers such that 33. The range of x for which |x2 + x  2|  x2  x is
their product is 1. The minimum value of a1 + a2 + a3 (A) [1, 1]
+ - - - - + a3n is (B) (, –1]
(A) n (B) 31/n (C) 3n (D) 3n (C) [1, )
(D) No such value of x exists
19. If a, b, c, d are positive numbers, the minimum value of the
34. Max min(x  6, x  3),min (x  5, x  7) =
 1 1 1 1
product (a + b + c + d)      is (A) x + 6 (B) x + 5 (C) x – 3 (D) x – 7
a b c d
Difficult / Very Difficult … …… . .
20. If a, b, c, d and e are positive numbers such that
abcde = 32, then the minimum value of 35. Which of the following is/are true?
(A) (15!)2 < 1515 (B) (12)12 < (12!)2
(1 + a) (1 + b) (1 + c) (1 + d) (1 + e) is (C) (18!)2 < 1818 (D) Both (B) and (C)
36. Given g(x) = |2 – x|x. Which of the following is true
21. If a, b, c are positive and if a + b + c = 12, then the about g(x)?
maximum value of (b + c) (c + a) (a + b) is (A) If 0< a < b < 1, then g(a) < g(b)
(A) 676 (B) 408 (C) 256 (D) 512 (B) If 1 < a < b< 2, then g(a) > g(b)
22. If x, y and z are positive numbers, then the minimum (C) If 2 < a < b < 3, then g(a) > g(b)
(D) If 1 < a < b < 3, then g(a) < g(b)
x 2 y  y 2 z  z 2 x  xy 2  yz2  zx2
value of is 37. The number of distinct solutions of the equation
xyz
|3x  |5x + 7|| = 10 is
23. If 2  x  5 and  7  y   3, then the minimum value
of which of the following is the least?
(A) x2 y (B) xy2 (C) 3xy (D) 2xy2 38. If p, q, r are positive and
2 2 2
24. The range of values of y that satisfy the inequation x = ( 2p  p  2 )( 3 q  q  3 )( r  r  1) , then
y2/3 – 3y1/3 – 10 ≤ 0 are 15 pqr
(A) 2 ≤ y ≤ 5 (B) 8 ≤ y ≤ 125 x cannot be
(C) 8 ≤ y ≤ 125 (D) 9 ≤ y ≤ 5 (A) 8 (B) 10 (C) 7 (D) 6
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39. The range of values of k for which x2 + 3kx + 5k + 44. Is 3 x  5 < 5x + 1?
1 < 0 is
. (x + 5) (x + 10) (x  6) > 0.
 9 
(A) (, –2)  (–2/9, ) (B)  ,2 . 8x2  10 x  12 > 0.
 2 
(C) (–2, –2/9) (D) (, ) x5
45. What is the value of ?
40. Given g(x) = |3 – x|x. Which of the following is true x7
about g(x)? . x2 + 7x  18 = 0.
(A) If a < b < 0, then g(a) > g(b) . 3x2 + 46 x + 171 = 0.
(B) If 0 < a < b < 2, then g(a) < g(b)
(C) If 2 < a < b< 4, then |g(a) – g(b)| < 1
(D) If 3 < a < b, then g(a) > g(b) 46. Is x  2 y  2 z > 9?

Directions for questions 41 to 50: Each question is . x  4y < 3.

followed by two statements,  and . Answer each . y  z > 6.
question using the following instructions:
Choose (A) if the question can be answered using one
47. Is x < 0?
of the statements alone, but cannot be
. x > x2
answered using the other statement alone.
Choose (B) if the question can be answered using . x2 > x4
either statement alone.
48. If x > 0, is x < 1?
Choose (C) if the question can be answered using  and
 together but not using  or  alone . x> x
Choose (D) if the question cannot be answered even . x > 3
x
using  and  together.
49. If x > 0, is x2 > 1?
41. Is x < y?
. x4 > 1
. x2 > y3
4
. y2 > x3 . x > x

42. Is x > 1?
50. Is 13  x  4  x  1 > 14?
. x2 > x3
. x3> x . x is any integer.
.  100  x  4.
43. What is the maximum value of x  6z ?
. x  2y  5.
. y  3z  9.

Key
Concept Review Questions
1. (a) C 5. 2 11. 5 (b) B 20. A 25. (a) B 29. D
(b) B 6. C 12. 2 (c) C 21. C (b) 7 30. C
(c) A 7. B 13. C 17. (a) C 22. (a) D (c) A
2. D 8. A 14. C (b) D (b) C 26. B
3. D 9. C 15. D 18. B 23. A 27. 3.8
4. C 10. 4 16. (a) C 19. B 24. D 28. B

Exercise – 3(a)
1. B 6. A 9. 15 14. 8 19. D 23. B 28. D
2. D 7. C 10. D 15. C 20. C 24. C 29. B
3. C 8. (a) 6 11. D 16. 0 21. (a) C 25. 2.2 30. A
4. D (b) 3 12. A 17. A (b) D 26. 4
5. C (c) 3 13. D 18. 3 22. –45 27. 2

Exercise – 3(b)
1. C 6. A 11. 1.2 16. 1 21. D 26. C 31. A 36. B 41. D 46. C
2. B 7. B 12. A 17. 9 22. 6 27. A 32. A 37. 2 42. A 47. A
3. 4 8. A 13. 48 18. D 23. D 28. D 33. B 38. D 43. C 48. B
4. 10 9. 3 14. B 19. 16 24. C 29. 36 34. C 39. C 44. D 49. B
5. B 10. D 15. D 20. 243 25. 8 30. A 35. B 40. C 45. A 50. A
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