SOLVING

RATIONAL INEQUALITIES
GENERAL MATHEMATICS 11
 Content Performance
Standards Standards
The learner The learner is able to
demonstrates accurately formulate
understanding of key and solve real-life
concepts of rational problems involving
functions. rational functions.

GENERAL MATHEMATICS
MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCIES

M11GM-Ib-3
solves rational
equations and
inequalities.

GENERAL MATHEMATICS
 number line and interval notation

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 number line and intervals

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 set notation
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 Definition:

RATIONAL composed of at least one rational

INEQUALITY
expression with ≠, ≤, <, ≥, or >
as its inequality sign
 To solve a rational inequality:
Step 1: Write the inequality in general form. One side must be zero, and
the other side must be written in a single fraction only. (if needed)

Step 2: Find the critical values. Set the numerator and the denominator
of the fraction equal to zero, then solve.

RATIONAL Step 3: Make a sign analysis chart. Use the critical values found in

INEQUALITY
Step 2 to divide the number line into regions.

Step 4: Perform the sign analysis. Pick one number from each regions
created in Step 3 and substitute that number into the polynomial to
determine the sign of the resulting answer. Then, use the sign of the
inequality to determine which regions to choose.

Step 5: Write the final answer.

Example 1
𝟐𝒙
Solve the inequality: ≥ 𝟏.
𝒙+𝟏

Solutions: STEP 3. Make a sign analysis chart.

STEP 1. Write the inequality in general form.

STEP 4. Perform the sign analysis

Interval

Test Point

STEP 2. Find the critical values.

STEP 5: Write the final answer.

 𝒙 = −𝟏 𝒙=𝟏
Example 6 −1 − 1
≥0
1−1
≥0
−1 + 1 1+1
𝟐𝒙 (−2) 0
≥𝟏 ≥0 ≥0
𝒙+𝟏 0 (+2)
undefined ≥ 0 0≥0
2𝑥 TRUE
−1 ≥0 FALSE
𝑥+1 𝑥 < −1 −1 < 𝑥 < 1 𝑥>1
2𝑥 − (𝑥 + 1)
≥0
𝑥+1 −∞ −1 1 +∞
2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 1 𝒙 = −𝟐 𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝟐
≥0 −2 − 1 0−1 2−1
𝑥+1 ≥0
≥0 ≥0
−2 + 1 0+1 2+1
𝑥−1
≥0 (−3) (−1) (+1)
𝑥+1 ≥0 ≥0 ≥0
(−1) (+1) (+3)
𝑥−1 =0 𝑥+1 =0 +≥0 −≥0 +≥0
𝑥=1 𝑥 = −1 TRUE FALSE TRUE
CRITICAL GENERAL MATHEMATICS
POINTS (−∞, −𝟏) 𝑼 [𝟏, +∞)
Sign Analysis
a wise man once said, that there is
no greater inequality than the
equal treatment of unequals.

-Aristotle