Solving quadratic inequalities

A sign chart of an expression is a number line that shows where the expression is positive, negative or 0.
For example, the following picture shows a sign chart for 2 x 3.
3
We can construct the sign chart by first observing that 2 x 3 = 0 when x = .
2
3 3
Also 2 x 3 > 0 when x > and 2 x 3 < 0 when x < .
2 2

Example 1: Solve the inequality: x2 x 2.

Solution:
x2 x 2

<=> x2 x 2 0

<=> ( x + 1 ) ( x 2 ) 0.

We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( x + 1 ) by first observing that x + 1 = 0 when x = 1.
Also x + 1 > 0 when x > 1 and x + 1 < 0 when x < 1.

Similarly, we can construct a sign chart for the factor ( x 2 ) by first observing that x 2 = 0 when x = 2.
Also x 2 > 0 when x > 2 and x 2 < 0 when x < 2.

The product ( x + 1 ) ( x 2 ) is positive when ( x + 1 ) and ( x 2 ) have the same sign and negative when the two factors have
opposite signs. Thus we obtain the following sign chart.

Hence ( x + 1 ) ( x 2 ) 0 exactly when 1 x 2.

The solution set of the inequality is:

[ 1, 2 ].

Notes:
(1) The last sign chart shows that x2 x 2 = ( x + 1 ) ( x 2 ) is positive when either x is greater than 2 or less than 2. Hence
x2 x > 2 <=> x2 x 2 > 0 <=> x < 1 or x > 2,
and solution set of the "opposite" inequality x2 x > 2 is
( , 1 ) ( 2, ).
(2) The graph of y = x2 x 2 is a parabola having the same shape as the graph of y = x2, but translated so that the vertex moves away
from the origin. Since x2 x 2 factors as ( x + 1 ) ( x 2 ), the x intercepts of the parabola occur where x = 1 and x = 2. The line of
1
symmetry is mid-way between these x intercepts and has equation x = .
2

The parabola opens upwards and so lies below the x axis between the x intercepts ( 1, 0 ) and ( 2, 0 ), and above the x axis when x is
either greater than 2 or less than 1. This indicates that the values of y = x2 x 2 are less than 0 when x is between 1 and 2 and
greater than 0 when either x < 1 or x > 2, that is,
x2 x 2 < 0 when 1 < x < 2
and
x2 x 2 > 0 when x < 1 or x > 2.
Example 2: Solve the inequality: 3 5 x 2 x2 < 0.

Solution:
3 5 x 2 x2 < 0

<=> 2 x2 + 5 x 3 > 0

<=> ( 2 x 1 ) ( x + 3 ) > 0.

1
We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( 2 x 1 ) by first observing that 2 x 1 = 0 when x = .
2
1 1
Also 2 x 1 > 0 when x > and 2 x 1 < 0 when x < .
2 2

Similarly, we can construct a sign chart for the factor ( x + 3 ) by first observing that x + 3 = 0 when x = 3.
Also x + 3 > 0 when x > 3 and x + 3 < 0 when x < 3.

The product ( 2 x 1 ) ( x + 3 ) is positive when ( 2 x 1 ) and ( x + 2 ) have the same sign and negative when the two factors have
opposite signs. Thus we obtain the following sign chart.
 1
Hence ( 2 x 1 ) ( x + 3 ) > 0 exactly when x < 3 or x > .
2

The solution set of the inequality is:

1
( , 3 ) , .
2

Note:
The graph of y = 2 x2 5 x + 3 is a parabola having the same shape as the graph of y = 2 x2, but translated so that the vertex moves
1
away from the origin. Since 2 x2 5 x + 3 factors as ( 2 x 1 ) ( x + 3 ), the x intercepts of the parabola occur where x = 3 and x = .
2
5
The line of symmetry is mid-way between these x intercepts and has equation x = .
4

1
The parabola opens downwards and so lies above the x axis between the x intercepts ( 3, 0 ) and , 0 , and below the x axis when x is
2
1 2 1
either greater than or less than 3. This indicates that the values of y = 2 x 5 x + 3 are less than 0 when either x < 3 or x > ,
2 2
1
and greater than 0 when x is between 3 and and
2
that is,
1
2 x2 5 x + 3 < 0 when x < 3 or x >
2
and
1
2 x2 5 x + 3 > 0 when 3 < x < .
2
Example 3: Solve the inequality: 15 4 x ( x 1 ) > 0.

Solution:
15 4 x ( x 1 ) > 0 ------- (i)
<=> 15 4 x2 + 4 x > 0
<=> 0 > 4 x2 4 x 15
<=> 4 x2 4 x 15 < 0 ------- (ii)

The quadratic expression 4 x2 4 x 15 can be factored by finding two integers u and v such that u . v = 4 . ( 15 ) = 60 and
u + v = 4. In fact we can take u = 6 and v = 10.
Splitting up the middle term 4 x of the quadratic as 4 x = 6 x 10 x gives:
4 x2 4 x 15 = 4 x2 + 6 x 10 x 15
= 2 x (2 x + 3) 5 (2 x + 3)
= ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ).
Hence the quadratic inequality (ii) is equivalent to:
( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ) < 0.
3
We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( 2 x + 3 ) by first observing that 2 x + 3 = 0 when x = .
2
3 3
Also 2 x + 3 > 0 when x > and 2 x + 3 < 0 when x < .
2 2
5
We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( 2 x 5 ) by first observing that 2 x 5 = 0 when x = .
2
5 5
Also 2 x 5 > 0 when x > and 2 x 5 < 0 when x < .
2 2

The product ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ) is positive when the factors ( 2 x + 3 ) and ( 2 x 5 ) have the same sign and this product is negative
when ( 2 x + 3 ) and ( 2 x 5 ) have opposite signs. Thus we obtain the following sign chart.

3 5
It follows from this sign chart that ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ) < 0 when <x < .
2 2

3 5 3 5
The solution set of the inequality (i) is {x | <x < } = , .
2 2 2 2
Notes:
3 5
(1) The last sign chart shows that 4 x2 4 x 15 = ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ) is positive when either x is less than or greater than . Hence
2 2
3 5
15 4 x ( x 1 ) 0 <=> 4 x2 4 x 15 > 0 <=> ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ) > 0 <=> x or x > ,
2 2
and solution set of the "opposite" inequality 15 4 x ( x 1 ) 0 is
3 5
( , 2 ] [ 2 , ).
(2) The graph of y = 4 x2 4 x 15 is a parabola having the same shape as the graph of y = 4 x2, but translated so that the vertex moves
away
3 5
from the origin. Since 4 x2 4 x 15 factors as ( 2 x + 3 ) ( 2 x 5 ), the x intercepts of the parabola occur where x = and x = .
2 2
The line of
1
symmetry is mid-way between these x intercepts and has equation x = .
2

3 5
The parabola opens upwards and so lies below the x axis between the x intercepts , 0 and , 0 , and above the x axis
2 2
5 3
when x is either greater than or less than . This indicates that the values of y = 4 x2 4 x 15 are less than 0 when x is between
2 2
3 5 3 5
and and greater than 0 when either x < or x > , that is,
2 2 2 2
2 3 5
4 x 4 x 15 < 0 when < x <
2 2
and
3 5
4 x2 4 x 15 > 0 when x < or x > .
2 2

Example 4: Solve the inequality: 6 x2 x 2 > 0 and illustrate the solution set on the real number line.

Solution:
Method I:
The quadratic expression 6 x2 x 2 can be factored by finding two integers u and v such that u . v = 6 . ( 2 ) = 12 and u + v = 1.
In fact we can take u = 3 and v = 4. Splitting up the middle term x of the quadratic as x = 3 x 4 x gives:

6 x2 x 2 = 6 x2 + 3 x 4 x 2
= 3 x (2 x + 1) 2 (2 x + 1)
= ( 3 x 2 ) ( 2 x + 1 ).
Hence the inequality 6 x2 x 2 > 0 is equivalent to:
( 3 x 2 ) ( 2 x + 1 ) > 0.

2
We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( 3 x 2 ) by first observing that 3 x 2 = 0 when x = .
3
2 2
Also 3 x 2 > 0 when x > and 3 x 2 < 0 when x < .
3 3
1
We can construct a sign chart for the factor ( 2 x + 1 ) by first observing that 2 x + 1 = 0 when x = .
2
1 1
Also 2 x + 1 > 0 when x > and 2 x + 1 < 0 when x < .
2 2

The product ( 3 x 2 ) ( 2 x + 1 ) is positive when the factors ( 3 x 2 ) and ( 2 x + 1 ) have the same sign and this product is negative
when ( 3 x 2 ) and ( 2 x + 1 ) have opposite signs. Thus we obtain the following sign chart.

1 2
From this sign chart we see that 6 x2 x 2 > 0 when either x or x > .
2 3
The solution set of the inequality is:
1 2
( , 2 ] [ 3 , ).

Method II:
First we solve the quadratic equation 6 x2 x 2 = 0. Using the quadratic formula, the solutions are:

1 +/- 1 + 48 1 +/- 49 1 +/- 7

x= = =
12 12 12
1 2
Thus 6 x2 x 2 = 0 exactly when x = or x = .
2 3
1 2
The real number line is subdivided into three intervals by the numbers x = . and x =
2 3
Since the graph of y = 6 x2 x 2 is a parabola, it is an unbroken curve. Hence sign changes of Q( x ) = 6 x2 x 2 can only occur
1 2
across values of x where Q( x ) = 0, that is, where x = = 0 .5 and where x = ~ 0.666667.
2 3
It follows that we need only check the sign of Q( x ) in each of the three intervals into which the number line is broken up by the two real
1 2
numbers x = and x = , by using appropriate test numbers in each of these intervals.
2 3

1
Q( 1 ) = 5, which is positive, so Q( x ) > 0 when x < .
2
 1 2
Q( 0 ) = 2, which is negative, so Q( x ) < 0 when <x < .
2 3

2
Q( 1 ) = 6 1 2 = 3, which is positive, so Q( x ) > 0 when x > .
3

1 2
Alternatively, the graph of y = 6 x2 x 2 is a parabola which opens upwards and crosses the x axis where x = and where x = .
2 3
1 2 1
The graph is below the x axis when <x < , corresponding to the fact that y = 6 x2 x 2 is negative in this interval. For x <
2 3 2
2
and for x > the graph is above the x axis corresponding to the fact that y = 6 x2 x 2 is positive in these intervals.
3
The sign chart of 6 x2 x 2 must be as follows.

1 2
From this sign chart we see that 6 x2 x 2 > 0 when either x or x > .
2 3
The solution set of the inequality is:
1 2
( , 2 ] [ 3 , ).

Example 5: Solve the inequality: x2 4 x + 2 > 0.

Solution:
First we solve the quadratic equation x2 4 x + 2 = 0. Using the quadratic formula, the solutions are:

4 +/- 16 8 4 +/- 8 4 +/- 2 2

x= = = = 2 + 2.
2 2 2

Since the graph of y = x2 4 x + 2 is a parabola, it is an unbroken curve. Hence sign changes of Q( x ) = x2 4 x + 2 can only occur
across values of x where Q( x ) = 0, that is, where x = 2 2 ~ 0.5858 and where x = 2 + 2 ~ 3.4142.
It follows that we need only check the sign of Q( x ) in each of the three intervals into which the number line is broken up by the two real
numbers x = 2 2 and x = 2 + 2 , by using appropriate test numbers in each of these intervals.

Q( 0 ) = 2, which is positive, so Q( x ) > 0 when x < 2 2 .

Q( 2 ) = 4 8 + 2 = 2, which is negative, so Q( x ) < 0 when 2 2 < x < 2 + 2 .

Q( 4 ) = 16 16 + 2 = 2, which is positive, so Q( x ) > 0 when x > 2 + 2 .

The sign chart of x2 4 x + 2 must be as follows. ( For another way to construct the sign chart consider the graph of y = x2 4 x + 2. See
the following note (2).)

2 2 2 2+ 2
 Hence x2 4 x + 2 > 0 exactly when x 2 2 or x > 2 + 2 .

The solution set is (, 2 2 ] [ 2 + 2 , )

_____________________
Notes:
(1) The last sign chart shows that x2 4 x + 2 is negative when x is between 2 2 and 2 + 2 . Hence

x2 4 x + 2 < 0 exactly when 2 2 < x < 2 + 2 .

and solution set of the "opposite" inequality x2 4 x + 2 < 0 is the open interval
( 2 2 , 2 + 2 ).

(2) The graph of y = x2 4 x + 2 is a parabola having the same shape as the graph of y = x2, but translated so that the vertex moves
away from the origin. Since x2 4 x + 2 = 0 when x = 2 + 2 , the x intercepts of the parabola occur at these values of x.
The line of symmetry is mid-way between these x intercepts and has equation x = 2.

The parabola opens upwards and so lies below the x axis between the x intercepts ( 2 2 , 0 ) and ( 2 + 2 , 0 ), and above the x axis
when x is either greater than 2 + 2 or less than 2 2 . This indicates that the values of y = x2 4 x + 2 are less than 0 when

x is between 2 2 and 2 + 2 and greater than 0 when either x < 2 2 or x > 2 + 2 , that is,

x2 4 x + 2 < 0 when 2 2 < x < 2 + 2

and
x2 4 x + 2 > 0 when x < 2 2 or x > 2 + 2 .

(3) The fact that the quadratic x2 4 x + 2 has the zeros x = 2 2 and x = 2 + 2 means, by the Factor Theorem, that x2 4 x + 2 has
the factors x a, where a = 2 2 and a = 2 + 2 .
These factors are ( x ( 2 2 ) ) = ( x 2 + 2 ) and ( x ( 2 + 2 ) ) = ( x 2 2 ) respectively.
Then
2
( x 2 + 2 ) ( x 2 2 ) = [ ( x 2 ) + 2 ] [ ( x 2 ) + 2 ] = ( x 2 )2 ( 2 ) = ( x2 4 x + 4 ) 2 = x2 4 x + 2,

that is,
x 2 4 x + 2 = ( x ( 2 2 ) ) ( x ( 2 + 2 ) ) = ( x p ) ( x q ),
where p = 2 2 and q = 2 + 2 .

A sign chart for x2 4 x + 2 may now be constructed by investigating how the sign of each of the factors of x2 4 x + 2 varies along a
number line just as was done in the first example.
 2 2 2 2+ 2

Questions:
Solve the following inequalities. Write the solution set using interval notation.
Q1. x2 + x 6 0 Q2. x2 2 x 3 > 0 Q3. 5 x x2 4 Q4. 2 x2 x < 3 Q5. x2 5 > 0 Q6. x2 4 x + 1 0

3
Answers: Q1. [ 3, 2 ] Q2. ( , 1 ) ( 3, ) Q3. ( , 1 ] [ 4, ) Q4. 1, Q5. ( , 5 ) ( 5 , )
2
Q6. [ 2 3 , 2 + 3 ]

Version: 29/3/2008 Peter Stone