NOTE

M A T H E M A T I C S

FUNDAMENTALS OF MATHEMATICS
INTRODUCTION TO INEQUALITIES

What you already know What you will learn

● Number Theory ● Representation of inequalities

● Sets ● Properties of inequalities
● Solving Linear inequalities

Whenever there is a comparison, there exists an inequality.

Example - Roshan is taller than Michael can be written mathematically as Height of Roshan >
Height of Michael.

Symbols

1. Strict inequality: The relations when a is not equal to b, are known as strict inequalities
(i)  less than (<)
Example 1 < 3
“Less Than” (<)
a < b means “a is strictly less than b”
Strict Inequality
“Greater Than” (>)
a > b means “a is strictly greater than b”
(ii) greater than (>)
Example -2 > -5

Note: Quantity towards which the mouth of the inequality is opening, is larger than the other.
2. Non-strict inequality
(i) The notation a ≤ b means a is less than or equal to b or a is at most b.
(ii) The notation a ≥ b means a is greater than or equal to b or a is at least b.

“Less than or Equal to” (≤) “Greater than or Equal to” (≥)
a ≤ b means “a is less than or equal to b” a ≥ b means “a is greater than or equal to b”
or or
a is atmost b a is atleast b
or or
a is not greater than b a is not less than b

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 02

Intervals as subsets of R

Intervals are basically subsets of R and are commonly used in solving inequalities or in finding
domains. If there are two numbers a, b ∈ R such that a < b.

a b
-∞ ∞
Interval ⊆ R

We can define four types of intervals as follows:

Name Representation Description

(a, b) = {x : a < x < b}

(a, b) {x : a < x < b} i.e. both end
Open Interval
points are not included.
a b

[a, b] = {x : a ≤ x ≤ b} {x : a ≤ x ≤ b} i.e. both end

[a, b] points are also included.
Closed Interval
This is possible only when
a b both a and b are finite.

x ∈ (a, b] = {x : a < x ≤ b}
(a, b] {x : a < x ≤ b} i.e. a is
Open - Closed Interval
excluded and b is included
a b

x ∈ [a, b) = {x : a ≤ x < b}
[a, b) {x : a ≤ x < b} i.e. a is
Closed - Open Interval
included and b is excluded.
a b

Quick Query

Represent the following:

(a) Real numbers strictly greater than -2
(b) Set of real numbers less than or equal to 0
(c) Real numbers greater than 100 and less than 1000

Any real number is either positive or negative or zero.

Between two real numbers, there are infinitely many real numbers.

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 03

Properties of Inequality

Property – I (Converse)

We can swap a and b over if we make sure the symbol still “points at” the smaller value.
• If a > b then b < a
• If a < b then b > a
Example: Alex is older than Billy, so Billy is younger than Alex.

Property – II (Transitivity)

When we link up inequalities in order, we can “jump over” the middle inequality.
If a > b and b > c, then a > c
Example:
If Alex is older than Billy and Billy is older than Carol, then Alex must be older than Carol.

Property – III (Addition/Subtraction)

If a ≤ b ⇒ a + c ≤ b + c. Also, if a ≤ b ⇒ a - c ≤ b - c. The inequality relation is preserved under

addition or subtraction of a common real constant.
Example: If x ≤ y, then x + 10 ≤ y + 10 and x - 10 ≤ y - 10, both of these inequalities will be preserved.

Property – IV (Multiplication/Division)

a b
Case I (c > 0): a ≥ b ⇒ ac ≥ bc and a ≥ b ⇒ ( c ) ≥ ( c )
5 4
Example: (10 > 0) : 5 > 4 ⇒ 10 × 5 > 10 × 4 and >
10 10
a b
Case II (c < 0): If a ≥ b ⇒ ac ≤ bc and a ≥ b ⇒ ( c ) ≤ ( c )
-2 -1
Example: (-5 < 0) : 2 > 1 ⇒ -5 × 2 < -5 × 1 and <
5 5
The inequality relation is preserved under multiplication or division by a positive constant, but is
reversed when a negative constant is involved.

Solve

(6 - 2x)
1. Solve <4
3
Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:
Use Property IV Use Property – III Again use Property 4
(Multiplication/Division): (Addition/Subtraction) (Multiplication/Division)
(6 - 2x) Subtracting both sides by 3 Multiplying both sides
<4
3 3-3-x<6-3 from -1, and
Multiplying by 3 ⇒ -x < 3 reversing the inequality
(6 - 2x) < 12 relation, x > -3
Dividing both sides by 2 Answer: x > -3 or x ∈ (-3 , ∞)
(3 - x) < 6
3
© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved
 04

Concept Check

1. Solve 7x + 5 ≤ 5x + 15 when (a) x ∈ N, (b) x ∈ W, (c) x ∈ Z, (d) x ∈ R.

Solve

(x + 3) (2x + 1) 7
2. If a = and b = and b <
4 3 3 < 2a, then, find the range of values of x.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

7 7 Taking A ⋂ B
Solve b < Solve 3 < 2a
3 5
2x + 1 7 7 x+3 A ⋂ B = { x ∈ R; <x<3}
3
3 < 3 ⇒3 < 2
Multiplying by 3 on both ⇒ 14 < 3x + 9
sides ⇒ 3x > 5
2x + 1 < 7 5
⇒ 2x < 6 ⇒B=x> 3
⇒x<3=A

Property – V (Reciprocal [only for non-zero reals])

When a and b are both positive or both negative, taking reciprocal changes the direction of the
inequality relation.
When a and b are of opposite signs, taking reciprocal retains the inequality relation as it is.
1 1 1 1
I. 0 <a ≤ b ⇒ ( ) ≥ ( ) > 0, for example, 0 < 5 < 7 ⇒ ( 5 ) > ( 7 ) > 0
a b
1 1 -1 -1
II. a ≤ b < 0 ⇒ 0 > ( ) ≥ ( ), for example, -7 < -5 < 0 ⇒ 0 > 7 > 5
a b
1 1 -1 1
III. a < 0 < b ⇒ ( ) < 0 < ( ). for example, -7 < 0 < 5 ⇒ 7 < 0 < 5
a b
Example: Alex and Billy both complete a journey of 1 kilometre.
Alex runs at 6 km/h and Billy walks at 4 km/h.
Alex’s speed is greater than Billy’s speed: 6 > 4
1 1
But time taken by Alex is less than Billy: 6 < 4
10 minutes < 15 minutes
Property – VI (Squaring)
When a and b are both positive, squaring retains the inequality relation.
When a and b are both negative, squaring changes the direction of the inequality relation.
When a and b are of opposite signs, nothing can be concluded about the direction of the
inequality relation, after squaring.
I. If a, b > 0; a ≤ b ⇒ a2 ≤ b2, for example, 7, 5 > 0; 5 ≤ 7 ⇒ 25 ≤ 49
II. If a, b < 0; a ≤ b ⇒ a2 ≥ b2, for example, -7,- 5 < 0; -7 ≤ -5 ⇒ 49 ≥ 25
III. If a < 0 < b then nothing can be concluded, for example, -7 < 5 and (-7)2 > 52.
But -2 < 5 and (-2)2 < (5)2. -2 4

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 05

Solve

Solve for 𝒙 :√(𝒙−4) > 5

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:
Check for feasible Use Squaring property Taking Intersection of A
region = A If a, b > 0; a ≤ b ⇒ a2 ≤ b2 and B
√(𝒙 − 4) exists iff √(𝒙 − 4) > 5 ⇒ x - 4 > 25 A⋂B = [4, ∞) ⋂ (29,∞)
x-4≥0 x > 29 ∴ Solution set = A∩B = (29, ∞)
i.e. 𝒙 ≥ 4 𝒙 ∈ (29, ∞) = B
⇒ 𝒙 ∈ [4, ∞) = A

Property – VII

(A) If ab > 0 then following cases are possible

Case i - both numbers are positive: a > 0 and b > 0
Case ii - both numbers are negative: a < 0 and b < 0
The union of the above two cases is our final answer
Example: (8 × 6) > 0 and (-8) × (-6) > 0
(B) If ab < 0 then both numbers should be of opposite sign
Case i - a > 0 and b < 0
Case ii - a < 0 and b > 0
The union of the above two cases is our final answer
Example: (-8) × 6 < 0 and 8 × (-6) < 0

Solve

1. Solve (x + 2)(x - 4) < 0

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:
Case 1 - a > 0 and b < 0 Case 2 - a < 0 and b > 0 Taking union of Step 1 and
(x + 2) > 0 and (x - 4) < 0 (x + 2) < 0 and (x - 4) > 0 Step 2
⇒ x > -2 and x < 4 ⇒ x < - 2 and x > 4 x = (-2,4) U { } = (-2, 4)
Taking Intersection, as both Taking Intersection, as both Hence x ∈ (-2, 4)
inequalities need to be inequalities need to be
simultaneously satisfied simultaneously satisfied
-2 < x < 4 x∈{}

Any real number

1. = undefined or ∉ R.
0
2. Never cancel the terms involving variables.
3. In an inequality, cross multiplication of terms involving variables is not allowed.

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 06

Summary

Key takeaways

1. Intervals are subsets of R and are commonly used in solving inequalities.

2. The inequality relation is preserved under addition or subtraction of a common real constant.
3. The inequality relation is preserved under multiplication or division by a positive constant, but is
reversed when a negative constant is involved.
4. Taking the reciprocal of both a and b can change the direction of the inequality.
5. The inequality relation is preserved under squaring for positive a and b, is reversed for negative
a and b and remains inconclusive for a and b with different signs.
6. Product of a and b is positive, only when both a and b have the same sign. Similarly, the product
of a and b is negative, when a and b are of different signs.

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 07

Mind map

Case II
a ≤ b < 0 ⇒ 0 > (1/a) ≥ (1/b)

Case I Case III

0 < a ≤ b ⇒ (1/a) ≥ (1/b) > 0 a < 0 < b ⇒ (1/a) < 0 < (1/b) ab < 0 ⇔ either
a > 0 and b < 0 or
a < 0 and b > 0

Reciprocal (only for

non-zero reals) ab > 0; either a > 0
and b > 0 or a < 0
Product and b < 0
Open interval
(a, b)
Converse
Closed interval If a ≤ b then b ≥ a
[a, b]

Transitive
Intervals as Properties
Inequalities If a ≤ b and b ≤ c
subsets of R
then a ≤ c

Semi-open/
Semi-closed
Addition/Subtraction
If a ≤ b ⇒ a + c ≤ b + c

(a, b] [a, b)

Case I
Squaring If a, b > 0;
a ≤ b ⇒ a2 ≤ b2
Multiplication/
Division
Case II
If a, b < 0;
a ≤ b ⇒ a2 ≥ b2
Case I Case II
c > 0; a ≥ b ⇒ ac ≥ bc and c < 0; a ≥ b ⇒ ac ≤ bc and
a ≥ b ⇒ (a/c) ≥ (b/c). a ≥ b ⇒ (a/c) ≤ (b/c).

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 08

Self-Assessment

x-1
1. If x ≥ 2 then solve for x.
(5 - 9x)
2. Solve the following system of inequalities: ≥ 0, x + 2 > 0
(3x - 1)
3. Find the maximum value of m, if mx +2 < 1 - 4m, m ∈ Z, and x = 2 is in the solution set of
inequality.

Answers

Quick Query
1. (a) x ∈ (-2, ∞ ) (b) x ∈ ( -∞, 0] (c) x ∈ (100, 1000)

Concept Check
1. Solve 7x + 5 ≤ 5x + 15 when (a) x ∈ N, (b) x ∈ W, (c) x ∈ Z, (d) x ∈ R.
7x + 5 ≤ 5x + 15
⇒ 2x ≤ 10 ⇒ x ≤ 5
(a) x ∈ N ( Set of Natural Numbers)
x ∈ { 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
(b) x ∈ W ( Set of Whole Numbers)
x ∈ {0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
(c) x ∈ Z ( Set of Integers)
x ∈ { …, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5}
(d) x ∈ R (Set of Real numbers)
x ∈ { x ∈ R; x ≤ 5} = (- ∞ , 5]

Self-Assessment
1.
Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:
Subtracting 2 from both Solving for Case 1, a ≥ 0 Solving for case 2, a ≤ 0
sides b<0 and b > 0
(x - 1) x + 1 ≥ 0 and x < 0 x + 1 ≤ 0 and x > 0
⇒ -2≥0
x ⇒ x ∈ [-1, 0 ) ⇒x∈ϕ
-(x + 1) The final solution set is the
⇒ ≥0
x union of the above two
(x + 1) cases,
⇒ ≤0
x that is x ∈ [-1, 0)

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved

 09

2.

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Solve I = x + 2 > 0 (5 - 9x) Solving for Case 1 a > 0 and
Solve II = ≥0
⇒ x > -2 (3x - 1) b>0
Solution Set of I = (-2, ∞) a 5 - 9x ≥ 0 and 3x - 1 > 0
We know b ≥ 0, only when
5 1
a and b are of same sign x ≤ and x > 3
9
and b ≠ 0, so 1 5
taking two cases a, b > 0 ∴x∈( , ]
3 9
and a, b < 0

Step 4: Step 5:
Solving for Case 2 Final Solution will be
a ≤ 0 and b < 0 (Solution Set of I) ⋂ (Solution Set of II)
5 - 9x ≤ 0 and 3x - 1 < 0 1 5
x∈( , ]
5 1 3 9
x ≥ 9 and x < 3
∴ x ∈ {}
Hence Solution
1 5
Set II = ( , ]
3 9

3.
Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:
x = 2 satisfies the Solving inequality in m Given m ∈ Z and
inequality, hence 2m + 2 < 1 - 4m maximum value of m is
2m + 2 < 1 - 4m ⇒ 6m < -1 required
-1 ⇒ m = -1
⇒ m ∈ (- ∞ , )
6

© 2020, BYJU'S. All rights reserved