Chapter 4: Polynomial Equations and Inequalities

Day
Number
Section & Topic Homework:
1 4.1: Solving Polynomial Equations pg. 204#7,9,10,12-14
2 4.15: Factoring by Grouping Download Questions
3 4.2/4.3: Solving Linear & Polynomial Inequalities I pg 213
#2ace,6bdf,7bdf,10,19(graphically)
Pg 225 #1,2
4 4.3: Solving Polynomial Inequalities II pg. 227 #3,7def,8,14a,15
5 Celebration of Knowledge



4.1: Solving Polynomial Equations

Ex. 1: Solve for x:
a)20

+74

+74

+12 = 0 b) x x x x
4 3 2
5 3 7 2 0















c) 0 3 5 2
2 4
x x d) 16

+32

+17 +1 = 0














Ex. 2:
A polynomial function is defined by the equation () =

+ +11 . For what values of x, is 5 ) ( x f ?

Ex. 3:
A box has a length of 42 2 units, a width of 36 2 units and a height of x units.

a) Write a function for the volume of the box in terms of x.
b) Determine the values of x that will produce a zero volume. What are the length and width of the box if the
volume is 4160 cm
3
?

















Ex. 4: Solve by grouping
a) 0 3 12 4
2 3
x x x b) 0 12 2 6
2 3 4
x x x x
















4.2/4.3: Solving Linear & Polynomial Inequalities I
An inequality is similar to an equation except that it uses the symbols less than < or greater than > in the
definition of the inequality. Solving an inequality similar to 2 1 5 x follows the same rules as when solving
the similar equation 2 1 5 x . Solving an inequality where the coefficient of x is negative requires special
attention.

Why is it necessary to reverse the inequality symbol when dividing by a negative number?
The reason is simple; lets see what happens with the inequality 2 1 7 x when we do and when we do not
reverse the inequality symbol.

Suppose we try to solve the inequality
without dividing by a negative number:

Now if we divide by a negative number and do
not reverse the inequality:

2 1 7
1 7 2
1 7 2
6
2
3
x
x
x
x
x

?
?
2 1 7
2 6
2 6
2 2
3
x
x
x
x

Which one is correct? Try to substitute different values of x into the original inequality 2 1 7 x .

Ex. 1: Solve for x and graph your solution on the number line:
a) 3 1 13 x b) x x 2 12 4 5 c) 11 < 2( +5) 3







c) |2 +1| < 5 e) |1 2| < 11









Ex. 2: Given each of the following functions, specify the intervals over which:
Function () = 0 () > 0 () 0 () 0



Function () = 0 () > 0 () 0 () 0




Ex. 3: Use a graphical approach to solve for x. Express your answers in set and interval notation.
a) 3 1 2
2
x b) ( 1)

( +3)( 4) 0

















Ex. 4:
Solve each of the following inequalities using the Test Point Method:
a) ( + 1)

( 3)( +4) < 0 b) (2 1)( +3)(3 4) 0

4.3: Solving Polynomial Inequalities II
Ex. 1:
Solve each of the following inequalities algebraically using the Test Point Method:
a) x x x x x x 8 2 4 2 13 2 5
2 3 2 3














b) 4 4 3 2
2 3 4
x x x x











Ex. 2:
Given the graph of () and () , answer the following questions using set and interval notation:

a) Determine when ) ( ) ( x g x f



b) Determine when ) ( ) ( x g x f

Ex. 3: Use Graphing Technology to solve the inequality:
1 8 2 5
2 3
x x x x








Assign to students to try: Solve using Graphing Technology:
a) 6 6 4
2 2 3
x x x x x b) 20 9 20 9
2 2
x x x x