Solving Quadratic Inequalities
Solving Quadratic Inequalities
Solving Quadratic Inequalities
Solve for 𝑥 : 𝑥 2 − 𝟓𝑥 + 𝟔 ≥ 𝟎
STEP 1. Factorise the quadratic
(𝑥 − 𝟑)(𝑥 − 𝟐) ≥ 𝟎
STEP 2. DETERMINE THE CRITICAL VALUES OF 𝒙
From the factorised quadratic we see that the values for which the inequality is equal to
zero are 𝑥 = 𝟑 and 𝑥 = 𝟐. These are called the critical values of the inequality and
they are used to complete a table of signs.
STEP 3. COMPLETE A TABLE OF SIGNS
We must determine where each factor of the inequality is positive and negative on the
number line:
𝑥−𝟑 − − − 0 +
𝑥−𝟐 − 0 + + +
𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 − 𝟑)(𝑥 − 𝟐) + 0 − 0 +
From the table we see that 𝒇(𝒙) is greater than or equal to zero for 𝒙 ≤ 𝟐 or 𝒙 ≥
𝟑.
STEP 4. A ROUGH SKETCH OF THE GRAPH
The graph below does not form part of the answer and is included for illustration
purposes only.
A graph of the quadratic helps us determine the answer to the inequality. We can find
the answer graphically by seeing where the graph lies above or below the 𝐱 − 𝐚𝐱𝐢𝐬.
From the standard form, 𝑥 2 − 𝟓𝑥 + 𝟔, 𝑎 > 𝟎 and therefore the graph is a
“smile” and has a minimum turning point.
From the factorised form, (𝑥 − 𝟑)(𝑥 − 𝟐), we know
he 𝒙𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒔 are (2;0) and (3;0).
𝑥 2 − 𝟓𝑥 + 𝟔 ≥ 𝟎 for 𝑥 ≤ 𝟐 or 𝑥 ≥ 𝟑
QUESTION
Solve for 𝑥: 4𝑥2 − 4𝑥 + 1 ≤ 0
SOLUTION
(2𝑥 − 1)(2𝑥 − 1) ≤ 0
(2𝑥 − 1)2 ≤ 0
From the factorised quadratic we see that the value for which the inequality is
𝟏
equal to zero is 𝒙 = . We know that 𝑎2 > 0 for any real number a, a≠0, so
𝟐
( ) 2
then 2𝑥 − 1 will never be negative.
Step3. A rough sketch of the graph
The graph below does not form part of the answer and is included for illustration
purposes only.
From the standard form, 4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1, 𝑎 > 0 and therefore the graph is a
“smile” and has a minimum turning point.
From the factorised form, (2𝑥 − 1)(2𝑥 − 1), we know there is only
one 𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 at (12; 0).
Notice that no part of the graph lies below the 𝒙 − 𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒔.
Step4. Write the final answer and represent on a number line
1
4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 ≤ 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 =
2
2
Solve for 𝑥: −𝑥 − 3𝑥 + 5 > 0
SOLUTION
Notice that the coefficient of the 𝑥 2 term is −1. Remember that if we multiply or divide
an inequality by a negative number, then the inequality sign changes direction. So we
can write the same inequality in different ways and still get the same answer, as shown
below.
−𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 5 > 0
Multiply by −1 and change direction of the inequality sign
−𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5 < 0
From this rough sketch, we can see that both inequalities give the same solution; the
values of 𝑥 that lie between the two xx-intercepts.
Step 2. Factorise the quadratic
−3 ± √(3)2 − 4(1)(−5)
∴𝑥=
2(1)
−3 ± √29
∴𝑥=
2
−3 + √29
𝑥1 = ≈ −4.2
2
−3 − √29
𝑥1 = ≈ 1.2
2
Therefore we can write, correct to one decimal place,
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5 < 0 (Important we changed the sign > with > because we
multiply equation with (-1) )
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟓 < 𝟎 as (𝒙 − 𝟏. 𝟐)(𝒙 + 𝟒. 𝟐) < 𝟎
Step 3. Determine the critical values of 𝒙:
From the factorised quadratic we see that the critical values are
𝑥 = 1,2 and 𝑥 = −4,2.
Step 4. Complete a table of signs
𝑥 + 4,2 − 0 + + +
𝑥 − 1,2 − − − 0 +
From the table we see that the function is negative for −4,2 < 𝑥 < 1,2
Step 5. A sketch of the graph
Solve for 𝑥:
1.
2𝑥 + 3 1
= , 𝑥 ≠ ±3
𝑥+3 𝑥−3
2.
2𝑥 + 3 1
≤ , 𝑥 ≠ ±3
𝑥+3 𝑥−3
Step 1.
Solving the equation
To solve this equation we multiply both sides of the equation by (𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3) and
simplfy:
𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑 𝟏
(𝒙 + 𝟑)(𝒙 − 𝟑) = (𝒙 + 𝟑)(𝒙 − 𝟑)
𝒙+𝟑 𝒙−𝟑
𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟑) = 𝒙 + 𝟑
𝟐𝒙 − 𝟔 = 𝒙 + 𝟑
𝒙=𝟗
It is very important to recognise that we cannot use the same method as above to solve
the inequality. If we multiply or divide an inequality by a negative number, then the
inequality sign changes direction. We must rather simplify the inequality to have a
lowest common denominator and use a table of signs to determine the values that
satisfy the inequality.
𝟏
Step 3. Subtract from both sides of the inequality
𝒙−𝟑
2 𝟏
− ≤0
𝑥+3 𝒙−𝟑
Step 4. Determine the lowest common denominator and simplify the fraction
2(𝑥 − 3) − (𝑥 + 3)
≤0
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑥−9
≤0
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)
From the factorised inequality we see that the critical values are 𝑥 = −3, 𝑥 = 3
and 𝑥 = 9.
Step 6. Complete a table of signs
𝑥+3 − undef + + + + +
𝑥−3 − − − undef + + +
𝑥−9 − − − − − 0 +
𝑥−9
𝑓(𝑥) = − Undef + undef − 0 +
(𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 3)
From the table we see that the function is less than or equal to zero for 𝑥 < −3
or 3 < 𝑥 ≤ 9. We do not include 𝑥 = −3 or 𝑥 = 3 in the solution because of the
restrictions on the denominator.
Write the final answer and represent on a number line
𝑥 < −3 𝑜𝑟 3 < 𝑥 ≤ 9