BUSINESS NUMERACY: Inequalities

The Polytechnic

January 17, 2021

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Overview

4 Solving Linear Inequalities

1 Introduction With Absolute Value
2 Interval and Line Notations 5 More Inequalities- Solving
3 Solving Linear Inequalities 6 Graph of Linear Inequality

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Introduction

Think of any real number. Square the real number you are thinking of.
Whichever value you think of, if you take the square, the result will always
not be less than 0. We are saying, if you thought of the number a, then
a2 ≥0 always. Thus we have a range of values that a2 can take. Just like
equations, inequalities are formed from expressions that are joined by the
symbols <, >, ≤ and ≥.

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Introduction...

With inequalities, we are usually looking at a range of values and not

fixed to a single value.
Suppose my laptop is much slow compared to that of Joshua. I was
given a program. After running the program on my laptop, the
execution time is 0.25 seconds. What do you think is the execution
time on Joshua’s laptop given the factors that affect speed of a
computer are the same for the two laptops? We know that my laptop
is slower compared to that of Joshua. Hence Joshua’s laptop should
take less time. But what values? Your guess is just as good as mine-
here we can only say values less than 0.25 seconds but greater or
equal to 0 seconds. Thus we have a range of values. If we try to write
this in mathematical form, it will be an inequality.

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Introduction...

Pardon my lack of manners- I am supposed to tell you what the weird

beasts in the first slide of introduction mean in this context. Actually
the so-called weird beasts are innocent lambs as below:
a < b means a is less than b.
a > b means a is greater than b.
a≤b means a is less than or equal to b.
a≥b means a is greater than or equal to b.
2y +1
Examples: x < −2; 2v + 3≥4; t 2 + 2t + 1 > 0; 3 ≤ − 1;
|y − 4|≤2; −7≥ − 7.

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Introduction...

Suppose a, b, c ∈ R. Then
for any a exactly one of the following is true: a > 0, a < 0, a = 0.
if a > 0 and b > 0, then a + b > 0 and ab > 0.
if a > 0, then −a < 0 and a−1 > 0.
if a > b and b > c, then a > c.
if a > b, then a + c > b + c for any c.
if a > b and c > 0, then ca > cb.
if a > b and c < 0, then ca < cb.

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Interval and Line Notations

Suppose we have the double inequality a < x≤b where a and b are
real numbers. This means that x > a and x≤b. x is between a and b,
including b but not including a.
The set of any x satisfying the inequality a < x≤b is called an
interval and it is represented by (a, b]. We have

(a, b] = {x|a < x≤b}.

In this example, a is called the left endpoint and b is the right

endpoint.
( and ) indicate that the left endpoint and the right endpoint,
respectively, are not included. While [ and ] indicate that the left
endpoint and the right endpoint, respectively, are included.
In some books, with regard to number line, an open dot is used for (
and ), and a closed dot/bold dot is used for [ and ].

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Interval and Line Notations...
We can also have the intervals on number line.

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Solving Linear Inequalities

When handling inequalities remember that

we can add a positive or negative number to both sides of an inequality.
we can multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a positive real
number without affecting the sign of the inequality.
when an inequality is multiplied or divided by a negative number, the
inequality sign is reversed.
when we invert an inequality both sides, the sign of the inequality is
reversed.
In solving an inequality we are interested in finding the boundary
points.

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Example

Let us solve the inequality 4x − 5 < 7.

We have

4x − 5 < 7
⇒4x < 12
4x 12
⇒ <
4 4
⇒x<3.

In interval notation we have x∈(−∞, 3), and on number line we get

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Example

Let us solve the inequality − 23 y + 12 ≤ 65 .

We have
 
2 1 5
6 − y+ ≤ ×6
3 2 6
⇒ − 4y + 3≤5
⇒ − 4y ≤2
−4y 2
⇒ ≥
−4 −4
⇒y ≥ − 0.5.

In interval notation we have y ∈[−0.5, ∞), and on number line we get

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Example

2x+5
Let us solve the inequality 1 > −3 ≥ − 6.

We have
2x + 5
1> ≥−6
−3  
2x + 5
⇒ − 3×1 < −3× ≤ − 6× − 3
−3
⇒ − 3 < 2x + 5≤18
⇒ − 8 < 2x≤13
⇒ − 4 < x≤6.5.

In interval notation we have x∈(−4, 6.5], and on number line we get

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Example

Let us solve the inequality −3y − 1 < −4 or 4y + 3 < −6.

For −3y − 1 < −4 we have −3y < 3, and we get y > 1 which in
interval notation is y ∈(1, ∞).

For 4y + 3 < −6 we have 4y < −9, and we get y < −2.25 which in
interval notation is y ∈(−∞, −2.25).

For the solution of the inequality 4y + 3 < −6 or −3y − 1 < −4 we

have y < −2.25 or y > 1 respectively, which in interval notation is
y ∈(−∞, −2.25) or y ∈(1, ∞), and on number line we get

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Solving Linear Inequalities With Absolute Value

Note that < can be replaced by ≤. Also > can be replaced by ≥ where
required.
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Example

Let us solve the inequality |2x + 2|≤6. We have

|2x + 2|≤6
⇒ − 6≤2x + 2≤6
⇒ − 8≤2x≤4
⇒ − 4≤x≤2.

In interval notation we have x∈[−4, 2].

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Example

Let us solve the inequality |2x − 1|>3.

We have 2x − 1< − 3 or 2x − 1>3. Thus

2x − 1< − 3
⇒2x< − 2
⇒x < −1

or

2x − 1>3
⇒2x>4
⇒x > 2.

Thus x < −1 or x > 2. In interval notation: x∈(−∞, −1)∪(2, ∞).

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More Inequalities- Solving

We will now consider different kinds of inequalities- some sort of a mixed

bag. We will look at polynomial inequalities and rational inequalities.

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Example A

Let us solve the inequality 2y 2 < y + 3.

The given inequality can be written as 2y 2 − y − 3 < 0. If we factorise

the LHS we get (y + 1)(y − 1.5) < 0.

Our critical points are y = −1 or y = 1.5. On a number line these

values, −1 and 1.5 will split the number line into three intervals which
are (−∞, −1), (−1, 1.5) and (1.5, ∞). Note that we have taken into
consideration the sign of the original inequality in providing the
endpoints −1 and 1.5.

We will use a sign chart to determine the regions satisfying the given
inequality.

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Example A (cont...)

(−∞, −1) (−1, 1.5) (1.5, ∞)

y +1 −−−−− +++++ +++++
y − 1.5 −−−−− −−−−− +++++
(y + 1)(y − 1.5) +++++ −−−−− +++++

The only interval satisfying the inequality 2y 2 − y − 3 < 0 (or

2y 2 < y + 3) is (−1, 1.5). Thus we have y ∈(−1, 1.5) as the solution.
We can also write −1 < y < 1.5.

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Example B

x 2 −x−6
Let us solve the inequality x 2 −1
≥0.
(x+2)(x−3)
This inequality can be written as (x+1)(x−1) ≥0. Our critical points are
x = −2, x = −1, x = 1 and x = 3. These will split the number line
into five intervals which are (−∞, −2], [−2, −1), (−1, 1), (1, 3], and
[3, ∞). Note that despite the sign for the inequality being ≥, for
intervals containing the endpoints −1 and 1 the values −1 and 1 are
not included because they will make the denominator equal to 0,
hence dividing by 0- a thing we do not wish do.

We will use a sign chart to determine the regions satisfying the given
inequality.

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Example B (cont...)

(−∞, −2] [−2, −1) (−1, 1) (1, 3] [3, ∞)

x +2 −−− +++ +++ +++ +++
x −3 −−− −−− −−− −−− +++
x +1 −−− −−− +++ +++ +++
x −1 −−− −−− −−− +++ +++
(x+2)(x−3)
(x+1)(x−1) +++ −−− +++ −−− +++
2
The regions satisfying the inequality x x−x−6
2 −1 ≥0 are (−∞, −2], (−1, 1)
and [3, ∞). Thus the solution is x∈(−∞, −2]∪(−1, 1)∪[3, ∞).

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Example C

x+32
Let us solve the inequality x+6 ≤3.

DO NOT MULTIPLY BOTH SIDES BY x + 6 BECAUSE WE

DO NOT KNOW THE VALUE OF x! We have
x + 32
≤3
x +6
x + 32
⇒ − 3≤0
x +6
x + 32 − 3(x + 6)
⇒ ≤0
x +6
x + 32 − 3x − 18
⇒ ≤0
x +6
−2x + 14
⇒ ≤0.
x +6

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Example C (cont...)

The critical points are x = −6 and x = 7. These values split the

number line into the intervals (−∞, −6), (−6, 7] and [7, ∞). Using a
sogn chart we get

(−∞, −6) (−6, 7] [7, ∞)

−2x + 14 +++++ +++++ −−−−−
x +6 −−−−− +++++ +++++
−2x+14
x+6 −−−−− +++++ −−−−−
−2x+14
The regions satisfying the inequality x+32
x+6 ≤3 or x+6 ≤0 are
(−∞, −6) and [7, ∞). Thus x∈(−∞, −6)∪[7, ∞).

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Example D

1 1
We will solve the inequality |2x−1| < |x−2| .

Since |2x − 1|≥0 and |x − 2|≥0, we can multiply by these quantities

and the sign of the inequality will not change. Thus we get
|x − 2| < |2x − 1|. Let us square both sides.

(x − 2)2 < (2x − 1)2

⇒x 2 − 4x + 4 < 4x 2 − 4x + 1
⇒3 < 3x 2
⇒3x 2 > 3
⇒3x 2 − 3 > 0
⇒x 2 − 1 > 0
⇒(x + 1)(x − 1) > 0.

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Example D (cont...)

Our critical points are x = −1 and x = 1, and they divide the number
line into the intervals (−∞, −1), (−1, 1) and (1, ∞). Using the sign
chart, we have
(−∞, −1) (−1, 1) (1, ∞)
x −1 −−−−− −−−−− +++++
x +1 −−−−− +++++ +++++
(x + 1)(x − 1) +++++ −−−−− +++++
1 1
The intervals that satisfy the inequality |2x−1| < |x−2| or
(x + 1)(x − 1) > 0 are (−∞, −1) and (1, ∞). Thus the solution is
x∈(−∞, −1)∪(1, ∞).

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Graph of Linear Inequality

The graph of an inequality defines a region containing values that

satisfy the inequality- in short the region contains solutions to the
inequality.
How to draw the graph of a linear inequality
1 Proceed in the manner we graph a linear function.
2 Draw a dotted line if the inequality is strict (< or >), else a solid line
(thus for ≤ or ≥).
3 Choose a test point.
4 Plug the test point into the inequality and check whether it satisfies
the inequality or not.
5 If it does shade the opposite side, else shade the region containing the
test point.
We will consider only linear inequalities, but you can also try
quadratic and other polynomial inequalities.

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Example E

Let us draw the graph of x< − 1.

With this one, our boundary is at −1. Thus we will draw the line
x = −1. The line will be dotted.

Figure: Graph of x = −1
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Example E (cont...)

The next task is for us to show the side which is satisfying our
inequality. We will shade the side not satisfying our inequality.
Consider any point on the right side of the line, x = −1. Say we
choose (0, 1). Here the x coordinate is 0- here x = 0. Does this satisfy
x< − 1? The answer is no. Hence we will shade the side to which 0 is.

Figure: Graph of x < −1

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Example F

We will plot the graph of −x + 2y >3.

With this one, we need to plot the linear equation −x + 2y = 3 then

decide which side satisfy the inequality −x + 2y >3. The inequality
does not include the boundary 3, so the line will be dotted. The table
of values is below.

Table: −x + 2y = 3

x −2 −1 0 1 2
y 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5

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Example F (cont...)

Figure: Graph of −x + 2y = 3

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Example F (cont...)

We will identify the side to be shed (not satisfying the inequality

−x + 2y >3) using the method used in the previous examples. Let us
choose the point (0, 2) which is above the line −x + 2y =3. We have 0
as the x-coordinate and 2 as the y-coordinate (thus x = 0 and y = 2).
We substitute these values in the inequality to check if the side above
the line −x + 2y =3 satisfy the inequality −x + 2y >3. We have
−(0) + 2(2)>3, which gives 4>3 which is true. Thus we will not
shade the side above the line −x + 2y =3 since it satisfies the
inequality −x + 2y >3. Check the side below the line −x + 2y =3.
Using the point (0, 0) we discover that the side below the line
−x + 2y =3 does not satisfy the inequality −x + 2y >3 (try to
substitute x = 0 and y = 0, and you will get 0 > 3 which is false).

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Example F (cont...)

Figure: Graph of −x + 2y > 3

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Graph of Linear Inequality...

Remember that when the signs ≤ and ≥ are used we use solid lines in
plotting the graphs of the inequalities.

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