Summary Notes 1

Review on Intervals and Inequalities

1.1 Sets and Intervals

We shall use the term set and interval notations freely from time to time:

• The expression {2, 5, 7} simply means a set consisting of three numbers: 2, 5, and 7. Capital letters
are often used to denote a set; e.g., A = {2, 5, 7}, where 2, 5, 7 are called the elements of the set A.
The set of all real numbers is often denoted by the symbol R.

• We mainly consider sets consisting of some real numbers in MATH1013.

• When listing all the elements in a set of numbers is not feasible, the expression {x : P (x)} is often used
to denote the set which is consisted of all numbers1 x satisfying the description P (x). For examples,

(i) {x : (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0} is actually a set of two numbers, i.e., the set {2, 3};
(ii) {x : (x − 2)(x − 3) > 0} is the solution set of the inequality (x − 2)(x − 3) > 0.
(iii) {x : x is the square of an integer} = {0, 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, . . .}.

• Given two real numbers a and b where a < b, various sets of real numbers lying between a and b can
be denoted by the following interval notations:

Open Intervals Closed Intervals Half Open Half Closed Intervals

(a, b) = {x : a < x < b} [a, b] = {x : a ≤ x ≤ b}
[a, b) = {x : a ≤ x < b}
(−∞, a) = {x : x < a} (−∞, a] = {x : x ≤ a}
(a, b] = {x : a < x ≤ b}
(a, ∞) = {x : x > a} [a, ∞) = {x : x ≥ a}
The interval (−∞, ∞) formed by all real numbers is considered as both open and closed.

• Given two sets of real numbers A and B, the intersection A ∩ B and the union A ∪ B mean respectively
the following:
A ∩ B = {x : x is a number in both A and B}
A ∪ B = {x : x is a number either in A or in B}
For examples,
{1, 2, 3, 4} ∩ {3, 4, 9} = {3, 4}
{1, 2, 3, 4} ∪ {3, 4, 9} = {1, 2, 3, 4, 9}
1 More generally, sets can be consisting of elements other than numbers; e.g., {x : x is a HKUST student in Fall 2022} .

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1.2. SOLVING INEQUALITIES MATH1013 Calculus IB

(2, 7) ∩ [3, 10) = {x : 2 < x < 7 and 3 ≤ x < 10} = [3, 7)

(2, 7) ∪ (3, 10) = {x : 2 < x < 7 or 3 < x < 10} = (2, 10) .

• The union of two intervals is not always an interval though, such as

(−2, 0) ∪ [3, 8) = {x : −2 < x < 0 or 3 ≤ x < 8}

Exercise The solution set of the inequality (x − 2)(x − 3) > 0 can be expressed as (−∞, 2) ∪ (3, ∞). Why?
(Note that (x − 2)(x − 3) > 0 if and only if either (x − 2) and (x − 3) are both positive, or both negative.
One may also consider the graph of the equation y = (x − 2)(x − 3), which intersects the x-axis at x = 2
and x = 3.)

1.2 Solving Inequalities

Recall here some basic operations on inequalities: for any real numbers a, b, and c,

1. if a < b, then a + c < b + 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 ; (e.g., 2 < 3, and 2 · (−4) > 3 · (−4).)
Watch out when multiplying a negative number to both sides of an inequality, or dividing both sides
of an inequality by a negative number!
2x
Example 1. Solve the following inequalities: (i) 4x − 3 < 2x + 5; (ii) − < x + 4.
3
(i) Direct approach:
4x − 3 < 2x + 5 4 y

4x − 3 + (3 − 2x) < 2x + 5 + (3 − 2x) 3 graph of y = (4x−3)−(2x+5) = 2x−8

2x < 8 2

x<4 1

x
Using interval notation, the solution of the in- −1 1 2 3 4 5 6

−1
equality is: (−∞, 4).
Another approach: by working with the equation −2

−3

4x − 3 = 2x + 5 ⇐⇒ 2x − 8 = 0 ⇐⇒ x = 4
Note that whether 2x − 8 is positive or nega-
we have that x = 4 divides the real line into two
tive can also be summarized by the following
disjoint open intervals (−∞, 4), and (4, ∞). Just
simpler sign line diagram:
by putting in numbers in each interval, it is easy
to check that (−∞, 4) is the solution of 4x − 3 < sign line of 2x − 8
2x + 5. ------ 0 +++++
4

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1.2. SOLVING INEQUALITIES MATH1013 Calculus IB

(ii) 2x 5x Using interval notation, the solution of the in-

− < x + 4 ⇐⇒ − <4
3 3 equality is: (− 12
 3  5x   3  5 , ∞)
− − > − ·4
5 3 5
12
x>−
5

Alternatively, by solving the equation

3
y
2x y = − 53 x−4
− =x+4 2

3
1

5 12 x
− x − 4 = 0 ⇐⇒ x = − −5 −4 −3 −2 −1 1 2
3 5
−1
5
The solution of the inequality − x − 4 < 0 can be −2
3
easily found by looking at the line graph of y = −3

5 5
− x − 4, or the simple sign line of − x − 4 < 0. −4
3 3

Exercise Draw the sign line of − 53 x − 4.

4
Example 2. Solve the inequality ≤ 2.
2x − 3
Note that if you multiply 2x − 3 to both sides of the inequality, it is not clear how the inequality is
changed since 2x − 3 may or may not be positive, depending on the value of x.
The inequality can be rewritten as follows:

4 4 2(2x − 3)
− 2 ≤ 0 ⇐⇒ − ≤0
2x − 3 2x − 3 2x − 3
−4x + 10
≤0
2x − 3
The solution of the inequality is: x < 32 or x ≥ 52 .
Using interval notation, the solution is: (−∞, 32 ) ∪ [ 52 , +∞).
Why? The basic idea is to check when the factors −4x + 10 and 2x − 3 are positive, or negative.
−4x + 10
By the following tables or sign lines, the sign of , i.e., positive or negative, can be determined
2x − 3
easily.

x x < 52 x= 5
2 x > 52 -4x+10 +++++++ 0 -----
−4x + 10 +ve 0 −ve 5/2
x x < 32 x= 3
2 x > 32 2x-3 --- 0 ++++++++
2x − 3 −ve 0 +ve
3/2
3 3 3 5 5 5
x x< 2 x= 2 2 <x< 2 x= 2 x> 2 -4x+10 --- +++ 0 - - -
−4x + 10
−ve undefined +ve 0 −ve 2x-3 5/2
2x − 3 3/2
−4x + 10 3
Hence the solution of the inequality ≤ 0 is: x < 2 or x ≥ 52 .
2x − 3
An alternative approach is to work first with the equation
4 5
= 2 ⇐⇒ 2x − 3 = 2 ⇐⇒ x =
2x − 3 2

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1.3. ABSOLUTE VALUE MATH1013 Calculus IB

Using x = 52 , and x = 3
2 where 4
2x−3 is undefined, the last sign line for 4
2x−3 −2 = −4x+10
2x−3 above can be
drawn easily.
(x) (x)
Remark Inequalities of the form fg(x) ≤ 0 or fg(x) ≥ 0 can be easily solved by the sign line method if f (x)
and g(x) can be factored as products of linear factors respectively.
For such inequalities, the roots of f (x) = 0 and g(x) = 0 divide the real line into intervals such that on
(x)
each interval the sign of fg(x) remains unchanged and can be checked directly by substituting a number in
the interval as x to the expression.
Remark The full explanation of the method in general would involve the concept of the continuity of a
function, to be treated later in this course.
(x − 2)(x − 5)
Exercise Solve the inequality ≥ 0. ( Ans. x < −2 or 2 ≤ x ≤ 5 or x > 8)
(x + 2)(x − 8)
(Note that the four numbers −2, 2, 5, and 8 divide the real line into five disjoint open intervals. Check
(x − 2)(x − 5)
the sign of in each of these intervals.)
(x + 2)(x − 8)
(x + 1)2 + 4
Exercise Solve the inequality ≥ 0. ( Ans. x < −2 or x > 8)
(x + 2)(x − 8)

1.3 Absolute Value

The absolute value of a real number x, denoted by |x|, is defined by
(
x if x ≥ 0
|x| =
−x if x < 0.

For example, |5| = 5, and | − 5| = −(−5) = 5. Similarly,

(
x − y if x > y
|x − y| =
y − x if x < y.

|x − y| can also be seen as the distance between the numbers x and y on the real line.

|x-y| = x - y |x-y| = y - x

y x x y

More generally, no matter what a mathematical expression ♠ you have,

(
♠ if ♠ > 0
♠ =
−♠ if ♠ < 0.

Note also that for any positive real number k,

(i) ♠ < k ⇐⇒ −k < ♠ < k

(ii) ♠ > k ⇐⇒ ♠ < −k or ♠ > k

Here are some examples on equations or inequalities involving absolute values.

Example 3. |2x − 5| = 3
The equation simply means: 2x − 5 = 3 or 2x − 5 = −3, i.e., x = 4 or x = 1.

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1.3. ABSOLUTE VALUE MATH1013 Calculus IB

Example 4. 2x − 5 < 3 (Recall that | ⋆ | < 3 ⇔ −3 < ⋆ < 3)

2x − 5 < 3 ⇐⇒ −3 < 2x − 5 < 3 ⇐⇒ 2 < 2x < 8

1<x<4.
Remark The solution of |2x − 5| = 3, i.e., x = 1 or x = 4, can also lead you to the solution of 2x − 5 < 3
quickly after some sign checking for |2x − 5| − 3 along the real line, divided by the two numbers 1 and 4 into
three intervals x < 1, 1 < x < 4, and x > 4:

0 0
Sign of |2x - 5| - 3 ++++ ------ ++++
along the real line
1 4

The solution of the inequality |2x − 3| − 3 < 0 can then be read out easily from the sign line above.
5
Example 5. Solve the inequality 3 − x <1 (Recall that | ⋆ | < 1 ⇔ −1 < ⋆ < 1)

5 5
Inequality approach: 3− x <1 Equation approach: 3− x =1

5 3x − 5 either 3 − 5
= −1 or 3 − 5
=1
−1 < 3 − < 1 ⇐⇒ −1 < <1 x x
x x
5 5
3x − 5 3x − 5 x= 4 or x = 2
0<1+ and −1<0
x x Check the sign of |3 − x5 | − 1
4x − 5 2x − 5
0< and <0 undefined
x x Sign of
  ++++ +++ 0 ---- 0 ++++
x < 0 or x > 54 and 0 < x < 52 |3-5/x| - 1
0 5/4 5/2
5
i.e., 4 < x < 52 .
(e.g., check |3 − x5 | at x = −1, 1, 2, 3.)

Exercise Find the solution of the inequality (2x − 5 ≥ 3 by

2x − 5 if 2x − 5 ≥ 0
(i) sketching the graphs of y = |2x − 5| = , and y = 3.
−(2x − 5) if 2x − 5 < 0
(ii) using a sign line for |2x − 5| − 3.
5
Exercise Find the solution of the inequality 3− x ≥1 (Ans: x < 0 or 0 < x ≤ 5
4
or x ≥ 5
2
.)

Exercise Find the solution of the inequality |x − 1| + |x − 3| < 4. (A harder one!) (Ans: 0 < x < 4.)

Remark Just to recall a few basic properties of absolute values:

1. | − a| = |a|

2. |ab| = |a||b|
a |a|
3. =
b |b|
4. |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b| (Triangle Inequality)
where equality holds if and only if a, b are of the same sign (equivalently ab > 0), or one of them is 0.

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1.3. ABSOLUTE VALUE MATH1013 Calculus IB

The triangle inequality follows easily from

|a + b|2 = (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

= |a|2 + 2ab + |b|2
≤ |a|2 + 2|a||b| + |b|2 = (|a| + |b|)2
|a + b| ≤ |a| + |b|

where equality holds if and only if ab = |ab|, or equivalently, ab ≥ 0.