SOUTH UNIVERSITY OF MEDICINE, SCIENCE

AND TECHONOLOGY (SUMST) FACULTY OF

MEDICINE
Inequalities

Dr. Paride O. Lolika

Lecture: 3
Definition

The concept of order is introduced in the real numbers system by

the
I Definition: The real number a is less than the real number b,
written a < b if b − a is positive.
Properties of the relation a < b

Let a, b, and c be real numbers; then

I Either a < b, a = b, or b < a.
I If a < b, and b < c then a < c.
I If a < b then a + c < b + c.
I If a < b and c is positive then ac < bc.
I If a < b and c is negative then ac > bc.
Properties of the relation a < b...Cont.

I Geometrically, if a < b then the point a on the real line lies to

the left of the point b.
I We also denote a < b by b > a, which read ”b is greater than
a”.
I Furthermore a ≤ b or b ≥ a if a < b or a = b
I Example (1): 2 < 5; −6 ≤ −3 and 4 ≤ 4; 5 > −8
Properties of the relation a < b...Cont.

I Example (2): The notation x < 5 means that x is areal

number which is less than 5; hence x lies to the left of 5 on
the real line.
I Example (3): The notation 2 < x < 7 means 2 < x and also
x < 7; hence x will lie between 2 and 7 on the real line.
Properties of the relation a < b...Cont.

The following statements are true when a, b, c are any real

numbers:
I a ≤ a.
I If a ≤ b and b ≤ a then a = b.
I If a ≤ b and b ≤ c then a = c.
Absolute Value

I The absolute value of real number x denoted by |x| is defined

by the formula:

 x, if x ≥ 0,


|x| = −x , if x < 0




that is, if x is positive or zero then |x| equals x, and if x is

negative then |x| equals −x.
Absolute Value..Cont.

I Consequently the absolute value of any real number is always

non-negative, i.e |x| ≥ 0.
I Geometrically the absolute value of x is the distance between
the point x on the real line and the origin i.e the point 0.
I The distance between any two points i.e is real numbers a and
b is |a − b| = |b − a|.
Absolute Value..Cont.

I Example (1): | − 2| = 2, |7| = 7, |3 − 8| = | − 5| = 5,

|8 − 3| = |5| = 5, | − 3 − 4| = | − 7| = 7.
I Example (2) The statement |x| < 5 can be interpreted to
mean that the distance between x and the origin is less than 5
i.e x must lie between −5 and 5 on the real line. In other
words |x| < 5 and −5 < x < 5 have identical meaning.
I Similarly |x| ≤ 5 and −5 ≤ x ≤ 5 have identical meaning.
Intervals

Consider the following sets of numbers: A1 = {x : 2 < x < 5},

A2 = {x : 2 ≤ x ≤ 5}, A3 = {x : 2 < x ≤ 5},
A4 = {x : 2 ≤ x < 5}.
I A1 is is an open interval as it does no contain either endpoint,
and sometimes denoted by A1 = (2, 5).
I A2 is is a closed interval as it contains both endpoint, and
sometimes denoted by A2 = [2, 5].
I A3 is is open closed interval, and sometimes denoted by
A3 = (2, 5].
Graphing Intervals on Real Line

We can display i.e graph the sets of intervals A1 , A2 , A3 and A4 on

the real line as follows:
Intervals-Examples:

Consider the following sets of numbers: Let A = [2, 4), B = (3, 8).
Then:
I A ∩ B = (3, 4).
I A ∪ B = [2, 8).
I A − B = [2, 3].
I B − A = [4, 8).
Infinite Intervals

Sets of the form: A = {x : x > 1}, B = {x : x ≥ 2},

C = {x : x < 3}, D = {x : x ≤ 4}, E = {x : x ∈ R} are called
infinite intervals also denoted by:
I A = (1, ∞).
I B = [2, ∞).
I C = (−∞, 3).
I E = (−∞, 4] and D = (−∞, −∞).
Graphing Infinite Intervals on Real Line

We can plot infinite intervals A, B, C , D and E on the real line as

follows:
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