QA – Inequations

Solution of Inequations
Case 1 f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6 > 0
f (x) = x2 – 5x + 6 = (x – 2) (x-3)

We have got three intervals of values here: - ∝ to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 to + ∝

To check the values of x satisfying the above written inequation, any one value of x is taken
from any of the intervals. If this value satisfies the inequation, then inequality will be
satisfied in the alternate intervals.
Taking x = 10,f (x) = (x – 2) (x – 3 ) = (10 – 2) (10 – 3) = +ve
So, inequality is satisfied in this interval. Hence, it will not be satisfied in the interval 2 < x < 3
and again will be satisfied in the interval - ∝ < x < 2
So, the values of x satisfying the above written inequality lies outside 2 and 3 i.e., x ≤ 2 or x ≥
3
Case 2 f(x) = x2 – 5x + 6 < 0

It can similarly be observed that the values of x are lying in between 2 and 3
Hence, 2 ≤ x ≤ 3

In general, if (x – a) (x – b) ≤ 0, then a ≤ x ≤ b
And if (x – a) (x – b) ≥ 0 and a ≤ b, then x ≤ a or x ≥ b
Thus, if (x- ( >0, the x lies outside the interval
, i.e., x (-∞, ) ( , ∞)

If (x- ( ≥0 the x lies outside the interval

(-∞, ) ( , ∞)

If (x- ( <0 the x lies inside the interval

( , i.e., x ( )

If (x- ( ≤ 0 the x lies inside the interval

( , i.e., x ( )

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 1

QA – Inequations

What values of x will satisfy the quadratic inequation f(x) = - x2 + 3x + 4 > 0?

f(x) = - x2 + 3x + 4 > 0, or, x2 - 3x - 4 < 0 Or,(x+l)(x-4) < 0
So the values of x satisfying f(x) = - 1 < x < 4

Find the ranges of the values of x for which lies between +1 and - 1.

SOLUTION > - 1 or >0

Since the coefficient of is positive and the roots of are 1 and 3,

therefore

> 0 for x < 1 and x > 3 …..(i)

< 1 or <0

Since the coefficient of is positive and the roots of = 0 are 2 - √ and 2 +

√ , therefore,

= 0 for 2 - √ < x < 2 + √ … (ii)

Combining (i) and (ii), we get 2 - √ < x < 1 or 3 < x < 2 + √

( (
If x is real, prove that the value of the expression (
cannot be between and 1.
(

( (
SOLUTION Let (
= y, then
(

+ 2x – 3 = y( + 2x – 8)

or (1 – y) +2x (1 – y) + (8y – 3) = 0

For x to be real, its discriminant D ≥ 0

or ( – - 4(1 – y) (8y – 3) ≥ 0

or (1 – y) (4 – 9y) ≥ 0

or (1 – y) ( – y) ≥ 0

It shows that (1 – y) and ( – y) should be of the same sign.

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 2

QA – Inequations

∴ we get y = , 1

If y < , (1 – y) ( – )> 0

If < y < 1, (1 – y) ( – )< 0

If y > 1, (1 – y) ( – )> 0

Hence for x to be real, y, (i.e., the value of the given expression) cannot lie between and 1.

Solve – 5x + 4 > 0

SOLUTION – 5x + 4 = (x – 1) (x – 4)

Since f(x) = – 5x + 4 > 0

therefore the required range is x < 1 and x > 4

35 Solve + 6x 8 > 0

SOLUTION + 6x 8 > 0

⇒ 6x + 8 < 0

⇒ 6x 8 = (x – 2) (x – 4)

Since f(x) = – 6x + 8 < 0

therefore the required range is 2 < x < 4

Sign of Quadratic Expression a +bx+c

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 3

QA – Inequations

As we know that if are the roots of the corresponding quadratic equation, then for
x= , the value of the expression is equal to zero. i.e. f(x)= a +bx+c = 0.
But for other real values of x (i.e., except ,
i.e. f(x)<0 or f(x)>0.

Thus the sign of a +bx+c, x

1. If D<0 i.e., are imaginary, then
a +bx+c > 0, if a>0
and a +bx+c <0, if a<0

x 2  20 x  84
Example: Solve for x, 0.
2 x2  4 x  5

The numerator can be factorised as (x – 14)(x – 6). But the denominator cannot be
factorised. On checking we see that for the quadratic in the denominator, determinant is
negative. Thus the denominator is always positive. Thus the inequality boils down to (x –
14)(x – 6) > 0

2. If D=0 i.e., are real and equal, then

a +bx+c ≥ 0, if a>0
and a +bx+c ≤ 0, if a<0

3. If D>0 i.e., are real and unequal( , then

The sign of the expression a +bx+c, x determined as follows :

Sign is same as Sign is same as Sign is same as

that of a that of a that of a
- ∞

Find the sign of of all real values of x

∵ D= - 4ac , therefore D = 25 – 4 x 6 x 1 = 1

∵ The roots are real and different and the roots are

√
i.e., and

∴ The given expression has the same sign as the coefficient of , i.e., positive for
between

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 4

QA – Inequations

Solve the inequalities >

SOLUTION
- >0 …(i)

( ( ( (
or (
>0
(
( –
or ( (
>0
( (
or (
>0
(
…(ii)
Now multiply both sides of (ii) by the expression ( ( – ) which is
positive for the x under consideration.
( ( ( ( – )
∴ >0
( ( – )

or (x – 1) (x – 4) (x + 2) (x – 1/4) > 0
…(iii)

Thus the range is x < – 2 or < x < 1 or x > 4

–
37 Determine the range of values of x for which >
–
–
SOLUTION >
–
–
or - >0
–

or <0
–
( (
or (
<0
(
( ( ( (
or ( (
<0
or (x + 5) (x – 3) (x + 1) ( 3x – 5) < 0

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 5

QA – Inequations

∴ - 5 < x < - 1 or <x<3

Find the range of real values of x for which <

SOLUTION < or - <0

( ( ( (
or X - X <0
( ( ( (
– ( –
or (
- (
<0
( (

or (
<0
(
Since 18 is positive
∴ ( ( <0

or 16( ) ( ) <0 ∴ <x<

Proprietary and Confidential ABS Classes 6