1

CHAPTER 6
INEQUALITIES

6.1 Intervals and Interval Notations

The order relations on R determines the collection of subsets of R known

as intervals. Let a, b ∈ R and a ≤ b.

The open interval determined by the end points a and b is

(1) (a, b) = {x ∈ R : a < x < b}.

The closed interval determined by the end points a and b is

(2) [a, b] = {x ∈ R : a ≤ x ≤ b}.

The half-open or half-closed intervals determined by the end points a and

b are

(3) [a, b) = {x ∈ R : a ≤ x < b}

and

(4) (a, b] = {x ∈ R : a < x ≤ b}.

if a = b, then the corresponding openinterval is the empty set

(5) (a, a) = ∅.

If a ∈ R, then the following sets are called open rays or infinite open
intervals
(6) (a, +∞) = {x ∈ R : x > a}

and

(7) (−∞, a) = {x ∈ R : x < a}

If a ∈ R, then the following sets are called closed rays or infinite

closed intervals
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(8) [a, +∞) = {x ∈ R : x ≥ a}

and

(9) (−∞, a] = {x ∈ R : x ≤ a}

We can think of the entire set R as the infinite interval

(10) (−∞, +∞) = R.

6.1 Properties of Inequalities

Definition 6.2.1 A number a is said to be greater than b, written as a > b, if
a − b is positive. We say a is less than b, and write a < b, if a − b is negative.
We write a ≥ b to mean that either a > b or a = b. Similarly, we write a ≤ b
to mean that either a < b or a = b.

Theorem 6.2.2 (Properties of Inequalities) Let a, b, c ∈ R. Then the

following hold:
1. If a > b and b > c, then a > c.
2. If a > b, then a + c > b + c.
3. If a > b and c > 0, then ac > bc.
4. If a > b and c < 0, then ac < bc.
1
5. If a > 0, then > 0.
a
1
6. If a < 0, then < 0.
a
Since a < b is equivalent to b > a, equivalent versions of properties (1)
to (4) for < (and for ≤ and ≥) also hold. Property (1) is referred to as the
transitive property of inequality.

6.3 Linear Inequalities in One Variable

Definition 6.3.1 Any inequality in variable x is called linear if it can be
reduced into any of the following forms:

ax + b > 0, ax + b < 0, ax + b ≥ 0, ax + b ≤ 0,
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where a, b ∈ R and a 6= 0.

Example 6.3.2 Find the solution set of the inequality 3x + 10 > 4.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : 3x + 10 > 4}
= {x ∈ R : 3x > −6}
= {x ∈ R : x > −2}
= (−2, +∞). 

Example 6.3.3 Find the solution set of the inequality 4(x + 1) + 2 ≤ 3x + 6.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : 4(x + 1) + 2 ≤ 3x + 6}
= {x ∈ R : 4x + 4 + 2 ≤ 3x + 6}
= {x ∈ R : 4x − 3x ≤ 6 − 6}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ 0}
= (−∞, 0]. 

3x + 2 4x − 5 31
Example 6.3.4 Find the solution set of the inequality − ≥ .
3 2 6
Solution:
 
3x + 2 4x − 5 31
SS = x ∈ R : − ≥
3 2 6
 
6x + 4 − 12x + 15 31
= x∈R: ≥
6 6
= {x ∈ R : −6x ≥ 12}
= {x ∈ R : 6x ≤ −12}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ −2}
= (−∞, −2]. 

Exercises Find the solution set of the following linear inequalities.

1. 8x − 11 ≥ 3x − 13. 2. 2(x − 2) − 3x + 5 ≥ 0.
3. 5x + 6 − 4(x + 2) ≤ 0. 4. 4(3x + 2) − 3x > 3(3x + 1) − 7
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3x 2x x x x
5. − > −1. 6. − + ≥ 1.
2 3 2 3 6
x−4 x−2 5 4x − 3 2x − 1
7. ≤ + . 8. ≥ − 2.
6 9 18 6 12

6.4 Quadratic Inequalities in One Variable

Definition 6.4.1 Any inequality in variable x is considered quadratic if it can
be reduced into any of the following forms:
ax2 + bx + c > 0, ax2 + bx + c < 0, ax2 + bx + c ≥ 0, ax2 + bx + c ≤ 0,
where a, b, c ∈ R and a 6= 0.

Theorem 6.4.2 Let a, b ∈ R. If ab > 0, then either

(i) a < 0 and b < 0 or
(ii) a > 0 and b > 0.
The theorem is valid if the symbol ”>” is replaced by ”≥”.
Example 6.4.3 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 + 10 > 7x.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 + 10 > 7x}
= {x ∈ R : x2 − 7x + 10 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x − 2)(x − 5) > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x − 2 < 0 and x − 5 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x − 2 > 0 and x − 5 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x < 2 and x < 5} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 2 and x > 5}
= {x ∈ R : x < 2} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 5}
= (−∞, 2) ∪ (5, +∞). 

Example 6.4.4 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 − x − 6 ≥ 0.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 − x − 6 ≥ 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x + 2)(x − 3) ≥ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x + 2 ≤ 0 and x − 3 ≤ 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 2 ≥ 0 and x − 3 ≥ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ −2 and x ≤ 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≥ −2 and x ≥ 3}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ −2} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≥ 3}
= (−∞, −2] ∪ [3, +∞). 
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Theorem 6.4.5 Let a, b ∈ R. If ab < 0, then either

(i) a > 0 and b < 0, or
(ii) a < 0 and b > 0.

The theorem is valid if the symbol ”<” is replaced by ”≤”.

Example 6.4.6 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 + 12 < x.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 − 12 < x}
= {x ∈ R : x2 − x − 12 < 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x + 3)(x − 4) < 0}
= {x ∈ R : x + 3 > 0 and x − 4 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 3 < 0 and x − 4 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x > −3 and x < 4} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < −3 and x > 5}
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x and x < 4} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < −3 and 5 < x}
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x < 4} ∪ { }
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x < 4}
= (−3, 4). 

Example 6.4.7 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 ≤ −6x − 5.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 ≤ −6x − 5}
= {x ∈ R : x2 + 6x + 5 ≤ 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x + 5)(x + 1) ≤ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x + 5 ≥ 0 and x + 1 ≤ 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 5 ≤ 0 and x + 1 ≥ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≥ −5 and x ≤ −1} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≤ −5 and x ≥ −1}
= {x ∈ R : −5 ≤ x and x ≤ −1} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≤ −5 and − 1 ≤ x}
= {x ∈ R : −5 ≤ x ≤ −1} ∪ { }
= {x ∈ R : −5 ≤ x ≤ −1}
= [−5, −1]. 

Example 6.4.8 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 − 2 < 0.

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Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 − 2 < 0}
√ √
= {x ∈ R : (x + 2)(x − 2) < 0}
√ √ √ √
= {x ∈ R : x + 2 > 0 and x − 2 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 2 < 0 and x − 2 > 0}
√ √ √ √
= {x ∈ R : x > − 2 and x < 2} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < − 2 and x > 2}
√ √ √ √
= {x ∈ R : − 2 < x and x < 2} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < − 2 and 2 < x}
n √ √ o
= x∈R:− 2<x< 2 ∪{ }
n √ √ o
= x∈R:− 2<x< 2
√ √
= (− 2, 2). 

Example 6.4.9 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 − 6x + 9 < 0.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 − 6x + 9 < 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x − 3)(x − 3) < 0}
= {x ∈ R : x − 3 > 0 and x − 3 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x − 3 < 0 and x − 3 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x − 3 > 0 and x − 3 < 0}
= {x ∈ R : x > 3 and x < 3}
= { }. 

Example 6.4.10 Find the solution set of the inequality x2 + 4x+ ≤ −4.

Solution:
SS = {x ∈ R : x2 + 4x ≤ −4}
= {x ∈ R : x2 + 4x + 4 ≤ 0}
= {x ∈ R : (x + 2)(x + 2) ≤ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x + 2 ≥ 0 and x + 2 ≤ 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 2 ≤ 0 and x + 2 ≥ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x + 2 ≥ 0 and x + 2 ≤ 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≥ −2 and x ≤ −2}
= {x ∈ R : x = −2}
= {−2}. 
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Exercises Find the solution set of the following inequalities.

1. x2 + 9 < 6x 2. x2 + 8 ≤ 6x 3. x2 ≥ 2x + 3
4. 3x2 + 10x − 8 > 0 5. x2 + 8x > −16 6. 5x ≤ 2 − 3x2
2 2 2
7. x + 14x < −49 8. x − 4x ≥ 0 9. x + x ≤ 0
10. 5x2 − 5x + 2 > 0 11. 2x2 − x + 2 ≤ 0 12. x2 + x + 3 < 0
13. x2 + x + 5 ≥ 0 14. x2 ≥ 5 15. x2 − 2x − 2 < 0
2 2
16. 9x − 6x + 1 ≥ 0 17. x + 10x ≤ 25 18. 4x2 − 12x + 9 < 0

6.5 Rational Inequalities

a
Theorem 6.5.1 Let a, b ∈ R. If > 0, then either
b
(i) a < 0 and b < 0, or
(ii) a > 0 and b > 0.
x−3
Example 6.5.2 Find the solution set of > 0.
x−4
Solution:
 
x−3
SS = x ∈ R : >0
x−4
= {x ∈ R : x − 3 < 0 and x − 4 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x − 3 > 0 and x − 4 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x < 3 and x < 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 3 and x > 4}
= {x ∈ R : x < 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 4}
= (−∞, 3) ∪ (4, +∞). 

1
Example 6.5.3 Find the solution set of 1 > .
x−3
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Solution:
 
1
SS = x ∈ R : 1 >
x−3
 
1
= x∈R:1− >0
x−3
 
x−4
= x∈R: >0
x−3
= {x ∈ R : x − 4 < 0 and x − 3 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x − 4 > 0 and x − 3 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x < 4 and x < 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 3 and x > 4}
= {x ∈ R : x < 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > 4}
= (−∞, 3) ∪ (4, +∞). 

Theorem 6.5.4 Let a, b ∈ R. If ab < 0, then either

(i) a > 0 and b < 0, or
(ii) a < 0 and b > 0.
x+3
Example 6.5.5 Find the solution set of < 0.
x−1
Solution:
 
x+3
SS = x ∈ R : <0
x−1
= {x ∈ R : x + 3 > 0 and x − 1 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 3 < 0 and x − 1 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x > −3 and x < 1} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < −3 and x > 1}
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x and x < 1} ∪ { }
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x < 1}
= (−3, 1). 

1
Example 6.5.6 Find the solution set of < 1.
x−3
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Solution:
 
2x
SS = x ∈ R : <1
x−3
 
2x
= x∈R: −1<0
x−3
 
x+3
= x∈R: <0
x−3
= {x ∈ R : x + 3 > 0 and x − 3 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 3 < 0 and x − 3 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x > −3 tand x < 3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x < −3 and x > 3}
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x < 3} ∪ { }
= {x ∈ R : −3 < x < 3}
= (−3, 3). 

a
Theorem 6.5.7 Let a, b ∈ R. If b
≥ 0, then either
(i) a ≤ 0 and b < 0, or
(ii) a ≥ 0 and b > 0.
x+4
Example 6.5.8 Find the solution set of ≥ 0.
x+3
Solution:
 
x+4
SS = x ∈ R : ≥0
x+3
= {x ∈ R : x + 4 ≤ 0 and x + 3 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 4 ≥ 0 and x + 3 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ −4 and x < −3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≥ −4 and x > −3}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ −4} ∪ {x ∈ R : x > −3}
= (−∞, −4] ∪ (−3, +∞). 

2x − 1
Example 6.5.9 Find the solution set of ≥ 1.
x+3
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Solution:
 
2x − 1
SS = x ∈ R : ≥1
x+3
 
2x − 1
= x∈R: −1≥0
x+3
 
x−4
= x∈R: ≥0
x+3
= {x ∈ R : x − 4 ≤ 0 and x + 3 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x − 4 ≥ 0 and x + 3 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ 4 and x < −3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≥ 4 and x > −3}
= {x ∈ R : x < −3} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≥ 4}
= (−∞, −3) ∪ [4, +∞). 

a
Theorem 6.5.10 Let a, b ∈ R. If b
≤ 0, then either
(i) a ≥ 0 and b < 0 or
(ii) a ≤ 0 and b > 0.
3x + 5
Example 6.5.11 Find the solution set of ≤ 2.
x+2
Solution:
 
3x + 5
SS = x ∈ R : ≤2
x+2
 
3x + 5
= x∈R: −2≤0
x+2
 
x+1
= x∈R: ≤0
x+2
= {x ∈ R : x + 1 ≥ 0 and x + 2 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : x + 1 ≤ 0 and x + 2 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : x ≥ −1 and x < −2} ∪ {x ∈ R : x ≤ −1 and x > −2}
= { } ∪ {x ∈ R : −2 < x ≤ −1}
= {x ∈ R : −2 < x ≤ −1}
= (−2, −1]. 

x
Example 6.5.12 Find the solution set of ≤ 2.
x−1
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Solution:
 
x
SS = x ∈ R : ≤2
x−1
 
x
= x∈R: −2≤0
x−1
 
2−x
= x∈R: ≤0
x−1
= {x ∈ R : 2 − x ≥ 0 and x − 1 < 0} ∪ {x ∈ R : 2 − x ≤ 0 and x − 1 > 0}
= {x ∈ R : 2 ≥ x and x < 1} ∪ {x ∈ R : 2 ≤ x and x > 1}
= {x ∈ R : x ≤ 2 and x < 1} ∪ {x ∈ R : 2 ≤ x and 1 < x}
= {x ∈ R : x < 1} ∪ {x ∈ R : 2 ≤ x}
= (−∞, 1) ∪ [2, +∞). 

Exercises Find the solution set of the following inequalities.

x−4 x+4 x+3
1. >0 2. ≤3 3. <0
x+3 2x − 1 x+4
x−2 −x − 3 x+4
4. ≤2 5. ≤0 6. ≥0
x+2 x+2 x
x 2−x x
7. ≥2 8. ≥0 9. >4
x+2 x+3 x+2