BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS

Chapter 2: Inequalities
Dr. Darmesah Gabda, Room: PT75
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Inequalities
Inequalities are mathematical expressions involving the symbols:
>, <, and .
To solve an inequality means to nd a range, or ranges, of values that
an unknown x can take and still satisfy the inequality.
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
There were four symbols to denote inequalities:
1
> is greater than
2
is greater than or equal to
3
< is less than
4
is less than or equal to
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
The expression:
5x 4 > 2x + 3
looks like an equation but with the equals sign replaced by an
arrowhead.
It is an example of an inequality.
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Manipulation of inequalities
The inequality remains true if:
1
add the same number to both sides of an inequality
2
subtract the same number from both sides of the inequality
3
multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by the same positive
number
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
But if you multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a negative
number, the inequality is no longer true.
Example: 10 > 3
if we multiply both sides of this inequality by 1 then:
10 > 3,
which is not true.
reverse the inequality, 10 < 3 in order for it to be true.
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Inequalities Properties
If a < b and b < c then a < c
Example
3 < 5 and 5 < 7, then 3 < 7.
If a < b and c is any number, then a + c < b + c
Example
2 < 4 and c = 3 , then
2 + (3) < 4 + (3)
1 < 1
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
If a < b and c is any number, then a c < b c
Example
3 < 1 and c = 2, then
3 2 < 1 2
5 < 3
If a > 0 and b > 0 , then a + b > 0
Example
5 > 0 and 6 > 0 , then
5 + 6 = 11 > 0
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
If a > 0 and b > 0, then ab > 0
Example
3 > 0 and 2 > 0, then
3.2 = 6 > 0
If a < b, then ba > 0
Example
3 < 2, then
2 (3) = 1 > 0
If a > b, then a < b
Example
7 > 5 , then 7 < 5
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
If a < b , then a > b
Example
2 < 1 , then
(2) = 2 > 1
If a < b , and c > 0 , then ac < bc
Example
4 < 3 and 5 > 0 , then
4(5) < 3(5)
20 < 15
If a < b, and c < 0 , then ac > bc
Example
4 < 3 and 2 < 0 , then
4(2) > 3(2)
8 > 6
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Example 1:
x + 3 > 2
Solution:
x + 3 2 > 2 2
x + 1 > 0
x > 1
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Example 2:
4x + 6 > 3x + 7
Solution:
4x + 6 3x 7 > 3x + 7 3x 7
x 1 > 0
x > 1
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Example 3:
3x 5 3 x
Solution:
3x 5 3 + x 3 x (3 x)
4x 8 0
x 2
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Linear Inequalities
Linear inequalities can be written as:
ax + b > 0
ax + b 0
ax + b < 0
ax + b 0
with a and b are real numbers and a = 0.
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Exercise
Solve the following inequalities:
(a) 2x 4 > 8
(b) 4x 5 < 2x + 9
(c) 3x + 5 x 7
(d)
1
x2
> 0
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Solution:
2x 4 > 8:
2x > 12, x > 6
4x 5 < 2x + 9:
2x < 14, x < 7
3x + 5 x 7
2x 12, x 6
1
x2
> 0:
If (x 2) < 0, no real solution.
If x 2 > 0, then 1 > 0. Therefore x > 2 and the solutions are
all numbers in the innite interval (2, ).
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Quadratic Inequalities
Quadratic inequalities can be written as :
ax
2
+ bx + c > 0
ax
2
+ bx + c 0
ax
2
+ bx + c < 0
ax
2
+ bx + c 0
with a, b and c are real numbers and a = 0.
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Example
Find the set of values for the following inequalities.
(a) x
2
+ 6x + 5 > 0
(b) 6 7x 3x
2
< 0
(c) 3x(x 5) 2(2x 3)
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS
Solution:
(a) x
2
+ 6x + 5 > 0
(x + 1)(x + 5) > 0
Case I:
If (x + 1) > 0 AND (x + 5) > 0
Then (x + 1)(x + 5) > 0.
Thus, x > 5 and x > 1. Therefore x : (1, ).
Case II:
If (x + 1) < 0 AND (x + 5) < 0
Then (x + 1)(x + 5) > 0.
Thus, x < 5 and x < 1. Therefore x : (, 5).
As a result: (1, ) OR (, 5).
Chapter 2: Inequalities BT10903 BUSINESS MATHEMATICS