TEKS

4.9
2A.3.A, 2A.3.B,
Graph and Solve
Quadratic Inequalities
2A.8.A, 2A.8.D

Before You graphed and solved linear inequalities.

Now You will graph and solve quadratic inequalities.
Why? So you can model the strength of a rope, as in Example 2.

Key Vocabulary A quadratic inequality in two variables can be written in one of the following forms:
• quadratic inequality y < ax2 1 bx 1 c y ≤ ax 2 1 bx 1 c y > ax2 1 bx 1 c y ≥ ax2 1 bx 1 c
in two variables
• quadratic inequality The graph of any such inequality consists of all solutions (x, y) of the inequality.
in one variable

KEY CONCEPT For Your Notebook

Graphing a Quadratic Inequality in Two Variables
To graph a quadratic inequality in one of the forms above, follow these steps:
STEP 1 Graph the parabola with equation y 5 ax2 1 bx 1 c. Make the
parabola dashed for inequalities with < or > and solid for
inequalities with ≤ or ≥.
STEP 2 Test a point (x, y) inside the parabola to determine whether the
point is a solution of the inequality.
STEP 3 Shade the region inside the parabola if the point from Step 2
is a solution. Shade the region outside the parabola if it is not
a solution.

EXAMPLE 1 Graph a quadratic inequality

Graph y > x 2 1 3x 2 4.

Solution
AVOID ERRORS
STEP 1 Graph y 5 x2 1 3x 2 4. Because the inequality y
Be sure to use a dashed 1
parabola if the symbol
symbol is >, make the parabola dashed.
(0, 0) 2x
is > or < and a solid STEP 2 Test a point inside the parabola, such as (0, 0).
parabola if the symbol
is ≥ or ≤ . y > x 2 1 3x 2 4
0?> 02 1 3(0) 2 4
0 > 24 ✓
So, (0, 0) is a solution of the inequality.
STEP 3 Shade the region inside the parabola.
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300 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring

 EXAMPLE 2 Use a quadratic inequality in real life
RAPPELLING A manila rope used for rappelling down a cliff can safely support a
weight W (in pounds) provided
W ≤ 1480d 2
where d is the rope’s diameter (in inches). Graph the inequality.

Solution
Graph W 5 1480d 2 for nonnegative values of d. W
Because the inequality symbol is ≤, make the 3000

Weight (lb)
parabola solid. Test a point inside the parabola, (1, 2000)
2000
such as (1, 2000). W ≤ 1480d 2
W ≤ 1480d 2 1000
2000 ?
≤ 1480(1)2 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 d
2000 ≤ 1480 ✗
Diameter (in.)
Because (1, 2000) is not a solution, shade the
region below the parabola.

SYSTEMS OF QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES Graphing a system of quadratic

inequalities is similar to graphing a system of linear inequalities. First graph
each inequality in the system. Then identify the region in the coordinate plane
common to all of the graphs. This region is called the graph of the system.

EXAMPLE 3 Graph a system of quadratic inequalities

Graph the system of quadratic inequalities.
y ≤ 2x 2 1 4 Inequality 1
y > x 2 2 2x 2 3 Inequality 2

Solution
STEP 1 Graph y ≤ 2x 2 1 4. The graph is the y
red region inside and including the
parabola y 5 2x 2 1 4.
STEP 2 Graph y > x 2 2 2x 2 3. The graph is the 1
blue region inside (but not including) 1 x
the parabola y 5 x 2 2 2x 2 3. y > x 2 2 2x 2 3

STEP 3 Identify the purple region where the y ≤ 2x 2 1 4

two graphs overlap. This region is the
graph of the system.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1, 2, and 3

Graph the inequality.

1. y > x 2 1 2x 2 8 2. y ≤ 2x 2 2 3x 1 1 3. y < 2x 2 1 4x 1 2
4. Graph the system of inequalities consisting of y ≥ x 2 and y < 2x 2 1 5.

4.9 Graph and Solve Quadratic Inequalities 301

 ONE-VARIABLE INEQUALITIES A quadratic inequality in one variable can be
written in one of the following forms:
ax2 1 bx 1 c < 0 ax2 1 bx 1 c ≤ 0 ax2 1 bx 1 c > 0 ax2 1 bx 1 c ≥ 0
You can solve quadratic inequalities using tables, graphs, or algebraic methods.

EXAMPLE 4 Solve a quadratic inequality using a table

Solve x 2 1 x ≤ 6 using a table.

Solution
Rewrite the inequality as x 2 1 x 2 6 ≤ 0. Then make a table of values.
MAKE A TABLE
x 25 24 23 22 21 0 1 2 3 4
To give the exact
solution, your table x2 1 x 2 6 14 6 0 24 26 26 24 0 6 14
needs to include the
x-values for which the Notice that x2 1 x 2 6 ≤ 0 when the values of x are between 23 and 2, inclusive.
value of the quadratic
expression is 0. c The solution of the inequality is 23 ≤ x ≤ 2.

GRAPHING TO SOLVE INEQUALITIES Another way to solve ax 2 1 bx 1 c < 0 is to

first graph the related function y 5 ax 2 1 bx 1 c. Then, because the inequality
symbol is <, identify the x-values for which the graph lies below the x-axis. You
can use a similar procedure to solve quadratic inequalities that involve ≤, >, or ≥.

EXAMPLE 5 Solve a quadratic inequality by graphing

Solve 2x 2 1 x 2 4 ≥ 0 by graphing.

Solution
The solution consists of the x-values for which the graph of y 5 2x2 1 x 2 4
lies on or above the x-axis. Find the graph’s x-intercepts by letting y 5 0 and
using the quadratic formula to solve for x.
0 5 2x 2 1 x 2 4 y
}} 1
Ï 21 ± 12 2 4(2)(24) 25 21.69
x5} 1.19 x
2(2)
}
21 ± Ï 33
x5}
4
y 5 2x 2 1 x 2 4
x ø 1.19 or x ø 21.69

Sketch a parabola that opens up and has 1.19 and 21.69 as x-intercepts. The
graph lies on or above the x-axis to the left of (and including) x 5 21.69 and to
the right of (and including) x 5 1.19.
c The solution of the inequality is approximately x ≤ 21.69 or x ≥ 1.19.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 4 and 5

5. Solve the inequality 2x 2 1 2x ≤ 3 using a table and using a graph.

302 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring

 EXAMPLE 6 Use a quadratic inequality as a model
ROBOTICS The number T of teams that have
participated in a robot-building competition for
high school students can be modeled by
T(x) 5 7.51x2 2 16.4x 1 35.0, 0 ≤ x ≤ 9
where x is the number of years since 1992. For what
years was the number of teams greater than 100?

Solution
You want to find the values of x for which:
T(x) > 100
2
7.51x 2 16.4x 1 35.0 > 100
7.51x2 2 16.4x 2 65 > 0
Zero
Graph y 5 7.51x2 2 16.4x 2 65 on the domain X=4.2299219 Y=0
0 ≤ x ≤ 9. The graph’s x-intercept is about 4.2.
The graph lies above the x-axis when 4.2 < x ≤ 9.
c There were more than 100 teams participating in the years 1997–2001.

EXAMPLE 7 Solve a quadratic inequality algebraically

Solve x 2 2 2x > 15 algebraically.

Solution
First, write and solve the equation obtained by replacing > with 5.
x 2 2 2x 5 15 Write equation that corresponds to original inequality.
2
x 2 2x 2 15 5 0 Write in standard form.

(x 1 3)(x 2 5) 5 0 Factor.

x 5 23 or x 5 5 Zero product property

The numbers 23 and 5 are the critical x-values of the inequality x2 2 2x > 15.
Plot 23 and 5 on a number line, using open dots because the values do not
satisfy the inequality. The critical x-values partition the number line into three
intervals. Test an x-value in each interval to see if it satisfies the inequality.

25 24 23 22 21 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Test x 5 24: Test x 5 1: Test x 5 6:

(24)2 2 2(24) 5 24 > 15 ✓ 12 2 2(1) 5 21 >/ 15 62 2 2(6) 5 24 > 15 ✓
c The solution is x < 23 or x > 5.

✓ GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 6 and 7

6. ROBOTICS Use the information in Example 6 to determine in what years at

least 200 teams participated in the robot-building competition.
7. Solve the inequality 2x 2 2 7x > 4 algebraically.

4.9 Graph and Solve Quadratic Inequalities 303

 4.9 EXERCISES HOMEWORK
KEY
5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS
on p. WS1 for Exs. 17, 39, and 73
5 TAKS PRACTICE AND REASONING
Exs. 44, 45, 68, 73, 78, and 79
5 MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS
Ex. 74

SKILL PRACTICE
1. VOCABULARY Give an example of a quadratic inequality in one variable
and an example of a quadratic inequality in two variables.

2. ★ WRITING Explain how to solve x 2 1 6x 2 8 < 0 using a table, by graphing,

WRITING
and algebraically.

EXAMPLE 1 MATCHING INEQUALITIES WITH GRAPHS Match the inequality with its graph.
on p. 300
3. y ≤ x 2 1 4x 1 3 4. y > 2x 2 1 4x 2 3 5. y < x 2 2 4x 1 3
for Exs. 3–19
A. y B. y C. y

1 3
2 x
1
2 x 1 x

GRAPHING QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES Graph the inequality.

6. y < 2x 2 7. y ≥ 4x 2 8. y > x 2 2 9
9. y ≤ x 2 1 5x 10. y < x 2 1 4x 2 5 11. y > x 2 1 7x 1 12
12. y ≤ 2x 2 1 3x 1 10 13. y ≥ 2x 2 1 5x 2 7 14. y ≥ 22x 2 1 9x 2 4
2
15. y < 4x 2 2 3x 2 5 16. y > 0.1x 2 2 x 1 1.2 17. y ≤ 2}x 2 1 3x 1 1
3

ERROR ANALYSIS Describe and correct the error in graphing y ≥ x 2 1 2.

18. 19.
y y

1 1
1 x 1 x

EXAMPLE 3 GRAPHING SYSTEMS Graph the system of inequalities.

on p. 301
20. y ≥ 2x 2 21. y > 25x 2 22. y ≥ x 2 2 4
for Exs. 20–25
y < 2x 2 1 1 y > 3x 2 2 2 y ≤ 22x 2 1 7x 1 4
23. y ≤ 2x 2 1 4x 2 4 24. y > 3x 2 1 3x 2 5 25. y ≥ x 2 2 3x 2 6
y < 2x 2 1 x 2 8 y < 2x 2 1 5x 1 10 y ≥ 2x 2 1 7x 1 6

EXAMPLE 4 SOLVING USING A TABLE Solve the inequality using a table.

on p. 302
26. x 2 2 5x < 0 27. x 2 1 2x 2 3 > 0 28. x 2 1 3x ≤ 10
for Exs. 26–34
29. x 2 2 2x ≥ 8 30. 2x 2 1 15x 2 50 > 0 31. x 2 2 10x < 216
32. x 2 2 4x > 12 33. 3x 2 2 6x 2 2 ≤ 7 34. 2x 2 2 6x 2 9 ≥ 11

304 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring

EXAMPLE 5 SOLVING BY GRAPHING Solve the inequality by graphing.
on p. 302
35. x 2 2 6x < 0 36. x 2 1 8x ≤ 27 37. x 2 2 4x 1 2 > 0
for Exs. 35–43
38. x 2 1 6x 1 3 > 0 39. 3x 2 1 2x 2 8 ≤ 0 40. 3x 2 1 5x 2 3 < 1

41. 26x 2 1 19x ≥ 10 1 x 2 1 4x ≥ 1

42. 2} 43. 4x 2 2 10x 2 7 < 10
2

44. TAK S REASONING What is the solution of 3x 2 2 x 2 4 > 0?

4
A x < 21 or x > } 4
B 21 < x < }
3 3
4 or x > 1
C x < 2} 4
D 1<x<}
3 3

45. TAKS REASONING What is the solution of 2x 2 1 9x ≤ 56?

A x ≤ 28 or x ≥ 3.5 B 28 ≤ x ≤ 3.5
C x ≤ 0 or x ≥ 4.5 D 0 ≤ x ≤ 4.5

EXAMPLE 7 SOLVING ALGEBRAICALLY Solve the inequality algebraically.

on p. 303
46. 4x 2 < 25 47. x 2 1 10x 1 9 < 0 48. x 2 2 11x ≥ 228
for Exs. 46–57
49. 3x 2 2 13x > 10 50. 2x 2 2 5x 2 3 ≤ 0 51. 4x 2 1 8x 2 21 ≥ 0
52. 24x 2 2 x 1 3 ≤ 0 53. 5x 2 2 6x 2 2 ≤ 0 54. 23x 2 1 10x > 22
55. 22x 2 2 7x ≥ 4 56. 3x 2 1 1 < 15x 57. 6x 2 2 5 > 8x

58. GRAPHING CALCULATOR In this exercise, you will use a different graphical
method to solve Example 6 on page 303.
a. Enter the equations y 5 7.51x2 2 16.4x 1 35.0 and y 5 100 into a
graphing calculator.
b. Graph the equations from part (a) for 0 ≤ x ≤ 9 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 300.
c. Use the intersect feature to find the point where the graphs intersect.
d. During what years was the number of participating teams greater than
100? Explain your reasoning.

CHOOSING A METHOD Solve the inequality using any method.

59. 8x 2 2 3x 1 1 < 10 60. 4x 2 1 11x 1 3 ≥ 23 61. 2x 2 2 2x 2 1 > 2

62. 23x 2 1 4x 2 5 ≤ 2 63. x 2 2 7x 1 4 > 5x 2 2 64. 2x 2 1 9x 2 1 ≥ 23x 1 1
65. 3x 2 2 2x 1 1 ≤ 2x2 1 1 66. 5x 2 1 x 2 7 < 3x 2 2 4x 67. 6x 2 2 5x 1 2 < 23x2 1 x

68. ★ TAKS REASONING Write a quadratic inequality in one variable that has a
solution of x < 22 or x > 5.

69. CHALLENGE The area A of the region bounded by a y

2 bh
parabola and a horizontal line is given by A 5 }
3
h
where b and h are as defined in the diagram. Find the area
of the region determined by each pair of inequalities.
b
a. y ≤ 2x2 1 4x b. y ≥ x2 2 4x 2 5
y≥0 y≤3 x

4.9 Graph and Solve Quadratic Inequalities 305

 PROBLEM SOLVING
EXAMPLE 2 70. ENGINEERING A wire rope can safely support a weight W (in pounds)
on p. 301 provided W ≤ 8000d 2 where d is the rope’s diameter (in inches). Graph
for Exs. 70–71 the inequality.
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TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

71. WOODWORKING A hardwood shelf in a wooden bookcase can safely support

a weight W (in pounds) provided W ≤ 115x2 where x is the shelf’s thickness (in
inches). Graph the inequality.
5&9"4 GPS
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TPMWJOH
IFMQ
BU
DMBTT[POFDPN

EXAMPLE 6 72. ARCHITECTURE The arch of the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia,
on p. 303 can be modeled by y 5 20.00211x 2 1 1.06x where x is the distance (in meters)
for Exs. 72–74 from the left pylons and y is the height (in meters) of the arch above the
water. For what distances x is the arch above the road?

pylon y

52 m
x

73. TAKS REASONING The length L (in millimeters) of the larvae of the black
porgy fish can be modeled by
L(x) 5 0.00170x 2 1 0.145x 1 2.35, 0 ≤ x ≤ 40
where x is the age (in days) of the larvae. Write and solve an inequality to find
at what ages a larvae’s length tends to be greater than 10 millimeters. Explain
how the given domain affects the solution.

74. MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS A study found that a driver’s reaction time

A(x) to audio stimuli and his or her reaction time V(x) to visual stimuli (both
in milliseconds) can be modeled by
A(x) 5 0.0051x2 2 0.319x 1 15, 16 ≤ x ≤ 70
V(x) 5 0.005x2 2 0.23x 1 22, 16 ≤ x ≤ 70
where x is the driver’s age (in years).
a. Writing an Inequality Write an inequality that you can use to find the
x-values for which A(x) is less than V(x).
b. Making a Table Use a table to find the solution of the inequality
from part (a). Your table should contain x-values from 16 to 70 in
increments of 6.
c. Drawing a Graph Check the solution you found in part (b) by using
a graphing calculator to solve the inequality A(x) < V(x) graphically.
Describe how you used the domain 16 ≤ x ≤ 70 to determine a reasonable
solution.
d. Interpret Based on your results from parts (b) and (c), do you think a
driver would react more quickly to a traffic light changing from green to
yellow or to the siren of an approaching ambulance? Explain.

5 WORKED-OUT SOLUTIONS 5 TAKS PRACTICE 5 MULTIPLE

306 on p. WS1 AND REASONING REPRESENTATIONS
 75. SOCCER The path of a soccer ball kicked from the ground can be modeled by
y 5 20.0540x 2 1 1.43x
where x is the horizontal distance (in feet) from where the ball was kicked
and y is the corresponding height (in feet).
a. A soccer goal is 8 feet high. Write and solve an inequality to find at what
values of x the ball is low enough to go into the goal.
b. A soccer player kicks the ball toward the goal from a distance of 15 feet
away. No one is blocking the goal. Will the player score a goal? Explain
your reasoning.

76. MULTI-STEP PROBLEM A truck that is 11 feet tall and Y

7 feet wide is traveling under an arch. The arch can
be modeled by
%.42!.#%
y 5 20.0625x2 1 1.25x 1 5.75
where x and y are measured in feet.
a. Will the truck fit under the arch? Explain your
reasoning.
b. What is the maximum width that a truck 11 feet
tall can have and still make it under the arch?
X
c. What is the maximum height that a truck 7 feet
wide can have and still make it under the arch?

77. CHALLENGE For clear blue ice on lakes and ponds, the maximum weight w
(in tons) that the ice can support is given by
w(x) 5 0.1x2 2 0.5x 2 5
where x is the thickness of the ice (in inches).
a. Calculate What thicknesses of ice can support a weight of 20 tons?
b. Interpret Explain how you can use the graph of w(x) to determine the
minimum x-value in the domain for which the function gives meaningful
results.

TAKS PRACTICE at classzone.com

M IXED R EVIEW FOR TAKS
REVIEW 78. TAKS PRACTICE Rachel is a cross-country runner. Time Distance
Lesson 2.5; Her coach recorded the data shown at the right during (minutes) (kilometers)
TAKS Workbook a timed practice run. If Rachel continues to run at the 6 1.2
same rate, what is the approximate distance she will
run in 25 minutes? TAKS Obj. 3 12 2.4

A 4.2 km B 5 km 15 3

C 6 km D 10 km

REVIEW 79. TAKS PRACTICE Which set of dimensions corresponds

TAKS Preparation to a pyramid similar to the one shown? TAKS Obj. 8
p. 902;
F w 5 1 unit, l 5 2 units, h 5 4 units h 5 24
TAKS Workbook
G w 5 2 units, l 5 3 units, h 5 6 units
H w 5 3 units, l 5 4 units, h 5 8 units
l 5 12
J w 5 4 units, l 5 6 units, h 5 12 units w59

EXTRA PRACTICE for Lesson 4.9, p. 1013 ONLINE QUIZ at classzone.com 307
 Investigating
g g
Algebra ACTIVITY Use before Lesson 4.10 TEXAS
classzone.com
Keystrokes

4.10 Modeling Data with a Quadratic Function

M AT E R I A L S • compass • 50 pennies • graphing calculator TEKS a.5, a.6, 2A.1.B

QUESTION How can you fit a quadratic function to a set of data?

EXPLORE Collect and model quadratic data

STEP 1 Collect data STEP 2 Record data Diameter of Number of

Draw five circles using a Record your results from circle (in.), x pennies, y
compass. Use diameters of Step 1 in a table like the one 0 ?
1 inch, 2 inches, 3 inches, shown at the right. Also,
4 inches, and 5 inches. Place record the number of pennies 1 ?
as many pennies as you can that would fit in a circle with a 2 ?
in each circle, making sure diameter of 0 inch.
that each penny is completely 3 ?
within the circle. 4 ?

5 ?

STEP 3 Enter data STEP 4 Display data STEP 5 Find model

Enter the data you collected Display the data in a scatter Use the quadratic regression
into two lists of a graphing plot. Notice that the points feature to find a quadratic
calculator. appear to lie on a parabola. model for the data.

L1 L2 EDIT CALC TESTS

0 ----- 1:1-Var Stats
1 2:2-Var Stats
2 3:Med-Med
3 4:LinReg(ax+b)
4 5:QuadReg
L1(1)=0 6:CubicReg

DR AW CONCLUSIONS Use your observations to complete these exercises

1. Graph your model from Step 5 on the same screen as the scatter plot.
Describe how well the model fits the data.
2. Use your model from Step 5 to predict the number of pennies that will
fit in a circle with a diameter of 6 inches. Check your prediction by
drawing a circle with a diameter of 6 inches and filling it with pennies.
3. Explain why you would expect the number of pennies that fit inside
a circle to be a quadratic function of the circle’s diameter.
4. The diameter of a penny is 0.75 inch. Use this fact to write a quadratic
function giving an upper limit L on the number of pennies that can fit
inside a circle with diameter x inches.

308 Chapter 4 Quadratic Functions and Factoring