Quadratic Inequalities

Amanda Austin
www.drfrost.org
@DrFrostMaths

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Teacher Notes
Prerequisite Representations
Knowledge Used Future Links
• Expand two binomials using • Algebraic • Modelling with
the distributive law representation quadratic curves
• Factorise monic and non- •
• Number lines Use of the
monic quadratic expressions
• Graphical discriminant
• Solve quadratic equations by
factorisation representation • Solving quadratic
• Complete the square for simultaneous
quadratic expressions equations
• Solve quadratics by
completing the square or the
quadratic formula
• Solve linear inequalities in
one variable and show
solutions on the number line
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Skills in this Lesson
458 Solving quadratic inequalities

458a Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or

458b Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or

458c Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or

458d Solve inequalities requiring rearrangement to the form

458e Solve inequalities requiring expanding brackets and rearrangement to the form
or
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subskill to allow you further Test Your Understanding opportunities. (e.g.
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Skills in this Lesson
458 Solving quadratic inequalities
458f Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or
458g Solve quadratic inequalities requiring rearrangement to the form or

458h Solve quadratic inequalities requiring expanding brackets and rearrangement to the
form or
458i Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or
458j Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or
458k Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form or
458l Solve quadratic inequalities given in the form , where at least one of these
expressions is quadratic.
458m Solve quadratic inequalities involving a division by a positive algebraic expression.
458n Express the solution of a quadratic inequality using set notation.
458o Combine a linear and a quadratic inequality.
458p Form and solve a quadratic inequality to find the terms in a quadratic sequence that
fulfil certain criteria.
Dr Frost Learning is a registered
458q Form and solve a quadratic inequality for a given context. charity in England and Wales (no
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Contents
For lessons covering many concepts, please click the below to navigate
quickly to the relevant part of the lesson.

Prerequisite Knowledge Check: Quadratics

Prerequisite Knowledge Check: Inequalities

Recap: Solving Quadratic Equations

Recap: Solving Linear Inequalities

The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic Inequalities

FYI: Representing Inequalities Using Set Notation

Exercise 1: Solving Quadratic Inequalities

The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic Inequalities requiring
Rearrangement
The Big Idea: Forming and Solving Quadratic Inequalities

Exercise 2: Further Solving Quadratic InequalitiesDr Frost Learning is a registered

charity in England and Wales (no
Starter

Dr Frost Learning is a registered

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Starter

Dr Frost Learning is a registered

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The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic
Inequalities
A sketch of the graph of is shown below. Use
the graph to solve the inequality

To solve we are looking for the parts 𝑦

of the graph where .
This means all the points on the
curve with a -coordinate less than
zero.

(2 , 0)
If we consider the -coordinates of
the points making up the highlighted
𝑥
part of the graph, they are between
and .
(0 ,− 4 )
We can write this as

and can also show it on a number

line:
The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic
Inequalities
A sketch of the graph of is shown below. Use
the graph to solve the inequality
𝑦
To solve we are looking for the parts
of the graph where .
This means all the points on the
curve with a -coordinate greater
than zero.

If we consider the -coordinates of

the points making up the highlighted
𝑥
(2 , 0)
parts of the graph, they are either
less than zero or greater than.

We can write this as

or
and can also show it on a number
line:
Example
Solve

We need to sketch the graph, by 𝑦

finding:
1 The shape of the graph - or

Our quadratic has a positive

term so the graph is a -shaped
parabola
𝑥
2
Where the graph crosses the - (2 , 0)
axis

Set our quadratic equal to 0 and

solve:
2
𝑥 + 𝑥 − 6 =0 Now highlight the region where
and state the solution as an
Factorise: inequality:

( 𝑥 + 3 ) ( 𝑥 − 2 ) =0 or
or
Example
Solve

Sketch the graph by 𝑦

finding:
1 The shape of the graph - or

Our quadratic has a positive term

so the graph is a -shaped parabola

Where the graph crosses the -

𝑥
2
axis (5 , 0)
Set our quadratic equal to 0 and
solve:
2
𝑥 − 7 𝑥 +10 =0 Now highlight the region where
and state the solution as an
( 𝑥 − 5 ) ( 𝑥 − 2 )= 0 inequality:
or
𝟐≤ 𝒙 ≤𝟓
The values where the curve crosses
the -axis are often called the critical
values
Test Your Understanding
Professor Cheng’s class are using the graph of to
solve the inequality . Who is correct?

𝑦
Nathan
Professor
𝑥
Cheng (−1 , 0) (1 , 0)

Basma

Abdi or
or
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458a
s/
458b

a Solve b Solve

( 𝑥 + 5 ) ( 𝑥 − 1 )= 0 𝑥 ( 𝑥 − 6 )= 0
Critical Values? Critical Values?
or or

𝑦 𝑦

Graph? 𝑥 Graph? 𝑥
(−5 , 0) (1 , 0) (0 , 0) (6 , 0)

− 𝟓< 𝒙 <𝟏
Solution? or
Solution?
Spot the Mistakes

Logan and Maria are both attempting to solve the

inequality . Can you spot any mistakes they have made
and provide them with a correct solution?
Logan
( 𝑥+ 4 ) ( 𝑥 − 2 )= 0 Mari
( 𝑥+ 4 ) ( 𝑥 − 2 )= 0
Critical values are The critical values are a
or or
𝑦 𝑦

(− 4 , 0) (2 , 0)𝑥 (− 2 ,0) ( 4 , 0)𝑥

The solution is The solution is

Logan has written his Maria has incorrectly found

?
compound inequality the ? values.
the critical
wrong way around.
The correct?solution is
Example
Solve

Sketch the 𝑦
graph:
1 Our quadratic has a
negative term so the graph
is an
-shaped parabola
(5 , 0)
2 Find the critical values:
𝑥
2
10 + 3 𝑥 − 𝑥 =0
2
10+5 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 𝑥 =0
5 ( 2+ 𝑥 ) − 𝑥 (2+ 𝑥 )=0 Now highlight the region where
( 5 − 𝑥 ) ( 2+ 𝑥 ) =0 and state the solution as an
inequality:
or
or
We have factorised the negative
quadratic by splitting the middle
term…
Comparing Methods

Viktor and Imani are both solving the quadratic

inequality
but have used different methods.
Which method do you prefer? Why?
Viktor Factorise the negative Rearrange the
Imani
quadratic: inequality
to make it positive :

Critical values are

or
𝑦 Critical values are
𝑦
or

(− 3 , 0) (1 , 0) 𝑥
𝑥 (− 3 , 0) (1 , 0)
The solution is The solution is
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458k
s/

a Solve b Solve

( 4 − 𝑥 ) ( 𝑥 +3 ) =0 (3 + 𝑥 )(3 − 𝑥 )=0
Critical Values? Critical Values?
or or

𝑦 𝑦

(− 3 , 0) Graph? ( 4 , 0) (− 3 , 0) Graph? (3 ,0)

𝑥 𝑥

− 𝟑Solution?
≤ 𝒙≤𝟒 or
Solution?
 Show
Exercise 1 (available as a separate all
solutio
worksheet) ns

1 Using the graphs shown, solve the inequalities:

2 2 2 2
a 𝑥 −16 >0 b 𝑥 +𝑥 ≤ 0 c 𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 4< 0 d 6−𝑥 −𝑥 ≥0
𝑦 𝑦 𝑦 𝑦

( −3 , 0) (2 , 0)
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
( − 4 ,0 ) ( 4 , 0)( − 1 , 0 ) (0 , 0)( − 4 ,0 ) (1 , 0)

2 2 2 2
𝑦 = 𝑥 −16 𝑦 =𝑥 + 𝑥 𝑦 =𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 4 𝑦 =6 − 𝑥 − 𝑥
or ? −𝟏 ≤ 𝒙
? ≤𝟎 −𝟒 < 𝒙? <𝟏 −𝟑 ≤ 𝒙
? ≤𝟐

2 By sketching graphs, solve 3 [Edexcel C1 May 2006 Q2]

the inequalities: Find the set of values of for
2 which
a 𝑥 +7 𝑥 ≥ 0 or ?

𝑥 −5 𝑥 +6< 0 𝟐< 𝒙
? <𝟑
b 2
?
2 ?
c 𝑥 − 25 >0 or
 Show
Exercise 1 (available as a separate all
solutio
worksheet) ns

4 By sketching graphs, solve 6 [OCR C1 June 2017 Q9i]

the inequalities: A curve has equation
2 .
a 20+ 8 𝑥 − 𝑥 ≤ 0 or ? Determine the set of values
of for which the graph of the
36 − 𝑥 >0 − 𝟔<? 𝒙 <𝟔
b 2
curve lies above the -axis.

5 𝑥 − 𝑥 ≥ 0 𝟎 ≤ ?𝒙 ≤ 𝟓
c 2
or ?

5 By sketching graphs, solve 7 [CCEA GCSE FM Summer 2022

the inequalities: P1 Q7]
2 Solve the inequality
a 3 𝑥 −16 𝑥 +5< 0 ?
𝟔
b 2
2 𝑥 +𝑥− 6≥ 0 or −𝟐 ≤ 𝒙
? ≤
? 𝟓
2
c 4 𝑥 − 4> 0 or ?

N Find algebraically the set of values of for

which
or
?
The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic
Inequalities
Mrs Clark
2
𝑥 + 4 𝑥 >0 Now we can
solve all these
quadratic
2
𝑥 −9≤0 inequalities…

2
2 1 2− 𝑥 − 𝑥 ≥ 0 But what about
𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 8< 0 these ones?!

2
2
2 𝑥 −7 𝑥 +6< 0 2 𝑥 ≤ 32
2
4 𝑥 −3 𝑥 >1 2
𝑥 ≥ 6 𝑥+ 16
These inequalities are going to
require rearrangement before
solving….
Example

Solve the inequality

Rearrange so one side of

𝑦
the inequality is zero:
2
2 𝑥 − 32 ≤ 0
Sketch the graph:
( − 4 ,0 ) ( 4 , 0)
1 -shaped parabola 𝑥
2 Critical values:
2
2 𝑥 − 32 =0
2
2 ( 𝑥 − 16 )= 0 Now highlight the region where
and state the solution as an
2 ( 𝑥 − 4 ) ( 𝑥+ 4 )= 0 inequality:

or −𝟒 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟒
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458d
s/
458g

a Solve b Solve

2 2
Rearrangement?
𝑥 − 6 𝑥 − 16 ≥ 0 Rearrangement?
0 >3 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 + 1

( 𝑥 − 8 )( 𝑥 + 2)=0 (3 𝑥 − 1)( 𝑥 − 1)=0

Critical Values? Critical or
Values?
or

𝑦 𝑦

Graph? 𝑥 Graph? 𝑥
(− 2 ,0) (8 , 0) ( 1
3
,0 ) (1 , 0)

orSolution? 𝟏 Solution?
< 𝒙 <𝟏
𝟑
• Exercises
Matching Pairs
Match the quadratic inequalities to their
solutions.
2
𝑥 > 2 𝑥 +3
1 − 1< 𝑥 <3
a

2
0 <3 −2 𝑥 − 𝑥
2 b or

3 ≥ 2 𝑥+ 𝑥
3
2
− 3 < 𝑥<1
c

𝑥4 ( 𝑥 − 2 )< 3 d or

¿5 −3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1
e
The Big Idea: Combining Inequalities

Find the set of values for which and

First, solve the linear Then, solve the 𝑦

inequality: quadratic inequality:

4 𝑥 +1 > 3 Critical
𝑥
−1 ↓ ↓ −1 values:
2
4 𝑥> 2 𝑥 + 𝑥 −2= 0( −2 , 0 ) (1 , 0)
÷ 4↓ ↓÷4 ( 𝑥+ 2)( 𝑥 −1)=0
𝟏 or
𝒙>
𝟐 −𝟐 ≤ 𝒙 ≤ 𝟏
Finally consider where both are true: So, the combined solution
is:
−2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1 𝟏1 <𝒙≤𝟏
𝟐
𝑥>
2
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458o
s/

Find the set of values for which

and

First, solve the linear Then, solve the 𝑦

inequality: quadratic inequality:

2 𝑥− 7≤1
Linear
Critical
Quadratic 𝑥
+7 ↓ ↓+7 values:
Inequality? ( 3 , 0 ) (5 , 0)
2
2 𝑥≤8
Inequality? 𝑥 − 8 𝑥 +15=0
( 𝑥 −5) (𝑥 −3)=0
or
÷2↓ ↓÷2
𝒙≤𝟒 or

Finally consider where both are true: So, the combined solution
Solution?
is:
Combined Inequalities? 𝒙 <𝟑
Exam Question drfrost.org/ 458o
s/

[Edexcel IGCSE FPure June 2021 P2

Q1c]
Find the set of values for which both
and
First, solve the linear
inequality:
Then, solve the
quadratic inequality:
𝑦
8 𝑥 − 7<5 𝑥+ 5 Critical
𝑥
+7 ↓Linear ↓+7 values:
2 𝑥 −5 𝑥 −Quadratic
2
8 𝑥 <5 𝑥+12
Inequality?
3=0 ( − , 0)
1
2
Inequality?
(3 ,0)
−5 𝑥 ↓ ↓ −5 𝑥 (2 𝑥+1)( 𝑥 − 3)=0
or
3 𝑥< 12
÷3↓ ↓÷3 or
𝒙 <𝟒

or
So, the combined solution
Solution?
is:
Recap: Forming Quadratic Equations
The area of the rectangle shown is cm2.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of
.
cm
We can form an equation from
the information given:

( 𝑥+ 5)( 𝑥 −2)= 60

cm
2
𝑥 +5 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 − 10=60
2
𝑥 + 3 𝑥 − 70 =0
However, if we use our values
Now, solve the quadratic of to find the dimensions of the
equation: rectangle, we can see that
( 𝑥+ 10)( 𝑥 − 7)=0 would give negative lengths.
This means there is only one
Either or solution:
𝒙 =𝟕
or
The Big Idea: Forming Quadratic
Inequalities
The area of the rectangle shown is less than cm2.
Find the range of possible values for .

Now sketch a graph to solve the

inequality:
𝑦
Critical values:
cm

𝑥 2+ 6 𝑥 −16=0
cm ( 𝑥+ 8 ) ( 𝑥 −2 ) =0
How does this differ
𝑥
or ( − 8 , 0) (2 , 0)
from the previous
question?
− 𝟖< 𝒙 <𝟐
Use the formula for area of a
rectangle to form an
We now need to consider that the
inequality:
dimensions of the rectangle need to be
( 𝑥+ 1)( 𝑥 +5)<21 positive:
𝑥 2+ 𝑥 +5 𝑥+ 5<21 for , so

𝑥 2+ 6 𝑥 − 16 <0 − 𝟏< 𝒙 <𝟐

Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458q
s/

The area of the triangle shown is less than .

Find the range of possible values for .

Now sketch a graph to solve the

inequality:
𝑦
Critical values:
cm

𝑥 2+ 4 𝑥 − 12=0 Solve
cm ( 𝑥+ 6 ) ( 𝑥 −2Inequality?
) =0
𝑥
Use the formula for area of a or ( −6 , 0 ) (2 , 0)
triangle to form an
inequality:
2 𝑥 ( 𝑥+ 4 ) − 𝟔< 𝒙 <𝟐
<12
Form
2 We now need to consider that the
Inequality? dimensions of the triangle need to
𝑥 ( 𝑥 + 4 ) <12 be positive:
2 Solution?
𝑥 + 4 𝑥 <12 for , so
2
𝑥 + 4 𝑥 − 12<0 𝟎 < 𝒙 <𝟐
 Exam Question drfrost.org/ 458q
s/

[Edexcel GCSE(9-1) Nov 2017 1H Q23]

Here is a rectangle and a right-angled triangle. All
measurements are in centimetres. The area of the
rectangle is greater than the area of the triangle. Find the
set of possible values of .

𝑥 −1 𝑥

3 𝑥−2
2 𝑥

Form an Critical Given that

inequality: 2 𝑥 × 𝑥2 values:
2 𝑥 − 5 𝑥 + 2= 0 dimensions
( 3 𝑥 − 2) ( 𝑥 − 1) >
Form Solve must be
Solutions?
2
( 2 𝑥 − 1 ) ( 𝑥 − 2 ) =0 positive:
Inequality? Inequality?
𝑥 2 − 2 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 +2> 𝑥 2 or 𝒙 >𝟐
2 𝑥2 − 5 𝑥 + 2 >0 or
Example
A quadratic sequence has th term .
Find the largest term in the sequence that is less
than .
Form an inequality using Now sketch a −𝑏 ± √ 𝑏2 − 4 𝑎𝑐
the nth term: graph: 𝑥=
2𝑎
2
2 𝑛 +3 𝑛+ 4 <100 To find the critical values, we need to
2 use the quadratic formula:
2 𝑛 +3 𝑛 − 96< 0
− 3 ± √ 32 − 4 ×2 ×− 96
𝑛=
4
Now put our solution in
context: or
𝑦
must be a positive
integer, and we are −𝟕 . 𝟕𝟐<𝒏<𝟔 . 𝟐𝟐
looking for the biggest
value of , so
𝑥
( −7.72,0 ) (6.22,0)
𝒏=𝟔
𝟐
𝟐 ×𝟔 +𝟑 ×𝟔+ 𝟒=𝟗𝟒
And the 6th term
is
Test Your Understanding drfrost.org/ 458p
s/

A quadratic sequence has nth term .

Find the first term in the sequence that is greater
than .
Form an inequality using
the nth term:
Now sketch the graph
& solve the
𝑦
Form inequality:
2
Inequality?
𝑛 +6 𝑛− 1>200 Solve
𝑛2 +6 𝑛− 201>0 Inequality? 𝑥
( −17.5 ,0 ) (11.5 ,0)
Find the critical values:
or
We need to use the quadratic
formula:
−𝑏 ± √ 𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐
2 Now put our solution in
𝑥= context:
2𝑎
Critical Values?
We are looking for the smallest
− 6 ± √ 6 − 4 × 1×− 201
2
Solution?
positive value of , 𝒏=𝟏𝟐
so
𝑛=
2 And the 12th term
𝟐
is
or 𝟏𝟐 +𝟔 ×𝟏𝟐 − 𝟏=𝟐𝟏𝟓
 Show
Exercise 2 (available as a separate all
solutio
worksheet) ns

1 By sketching graphs, solve 4 [OCR C1 June 2011 Q7ii]

the inequalities: Solve the inequality
𝑥 < 25 − 𝟓<? 𝒙 <𝟓
a 2

𝒙 <−𝟐 ?or 𝒙>𝟔

2
b 𝑥 +𝑥 ≥ 6 or ?
5 Find the set of values of for
1 4 − 𝑥 ≥ 5 𝑥 −𝟕 ≤?𝒙 ≤ 𝟐
c 2
which:
a and
2 [OCR C1 June 2006 Q5ii]
Solve the inequality 𝟐≤ 𝒙
? ≤𝟒

𝒚 ≤ −𝟏 or
? 𝒚 ≥𝟓 b and

3 By sketching graphs, solve 𝟎≤ 𝒙

? <𝟑
the inequalities:
2 ? c and
a 3 𝑥 ≤ 17 𝑥+ 20
2 or
?
b 5 𝑥 > 80 or ?
2
c 2 𝑥 ≥7 𝑥 or ?
 Show
Exercise 2 (available as a separate all
solutio
worksheet) ns

6 [OCR C1 June 2012 Q9i] 8 A quadratic sequence has the th

A rectangular tile has length term . Find the first term in the
cm and width cm. The area of sequence that is greater than .
the rectangle is less than . By
writing down and solving an or
inequality, determine the set of 11th term?is 228
possible values of .
𝟎< 𝒙
? <𝟒 9 [Edexcel GCSE June 2022 2H
Q22]
7 The area of the triangle shown Find algebraically the set of
is less than . Find the set of values of for which
possible values of . and
or ?

N [CTMUA 2020 P1 Q3]

Find the complete set of values
cm

of for which
and
cm

𝟏𝟑 − 𝟐<? 𝒙 <𝟏
𝟏 < 𝒙 ?<
𝟐