Quadratic inequalities

Introduction
▪ An inequality is a relation between two values or expressions that are not equal.
▪ An inequality is denoted by the a greater than (>) or less than (<) sign.
▪ A quadratic inequality is an inequality that contains a quadratic expression.
▪ This means that the highest exponent in that expression is 2.

Basics
▪ The following basic concepts are crucial in understanding inequalities.
Factorisation
▪ To solve non-linear inequalities, you must be able to factorise polynomials.
▪ In this chapter, polynomials that will be factorised the most are binomials and
trinomials.
Multiplying or dividing an inequality with a negative number
▪ When you multiply or divide an inequality with a negative number, you reverse
the direction of the inequality.
▪ That is:
✓ The inequality < changes to > and the inequality ≤ changes to ≥.
✓ The inequality > changes to < and the inequality ≥ changes to ≤.
▪ Here is simple demonstration of why the inequality changes:
10 > 6 But:
÷ 2: 5 > 3 10 > 6
÷ (−2): −5 < −3

Signs in relation to inequalities

▪ On the number line, any number that is less than 0 is negative.
▪ Less than 0 (< 0) implies that the expression evaluates to a negative value.
▪ Less than or equal to 0 (≤ 0) implies that the expression evaluates to a negative
value or to zero.
▪ On the number line, any number that is greater than 0 is positive.
▪ Greater than 0 (> 0) implies that the expression evaluates to a positive value.
▪ Greater than or equal to 0 (≥ 0) implies that the expression evaluates to a
positive value or to zero.

Critical values/zero points

▪ A zero point or critical value is a value which will result in the expression evaluating
to zero.
▪ For instance, for the expression 𝑥 − 2, the zero point is 2.
✓ If you substitute 2 in the place of 𝑥 at the expression 𝑥 − 2, it becomes 2 − 2.
✓ The expression 2 − 2 evaluates to 0.
▪ On a similar note, the zero point of the expression 𝑥 + 3 is −3.
▪ A proper way to get a zero point is to equate a given expression to 0 and then
solving for the unknown.
▪ The solution will be the zero point for the expression.
▪ For example, to find the zero point of 𝑥 − 4, we would follow the steps below:
𝑥−4=0
𝑥=4
Therefore, the zero point is 4.
▪ Let us determine the zero point of the expression 2𝑥 + 3:
2𝑥 + 3 = 0 −3
𝑥=
2𝑥 = −3 2
2𝑥 −3
=
2 2
−3
Therefore, the zero point of the expression is .
2
▪ The zero point of expressions like 𝑥 or 2𝑥 or −3𝑥 is just 0.
▪ Constant numbers like 8, 14 or −7 will never be 0 and as such, they do not have a
zero points.
▪ Other expressions like 𝑥 2 + 4 and 𝑥 4 + 1 will always be positive and will therefore
not have zero points.
▪ An expression like 2 𝑥 will always be positive and will therefore not have a zero
point.
Solving equations
▪ An equation usually has a finite number of solutions.
▪ For example:
𝑥−2=0
𝑥=2
It has only one solution which is 2.
▪ Here is another example:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 = 0 𝑥 − 4 = 0 or 𝑥 + 3 = 0
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 3) = 0 𝑥 = 4 or 𝑥 = −3
The above equation has two solutions.

Solving inequalities
▪ An inequality usually has an infinite number of solutions.
▪ For example:
𝑥−2>0
𝑥>2
It has many solutions, 𝑥 can be 3, 4, 5, 5.5, 8.1, 27, 100, 1005 and so on.
▪ In solving inequalities, you mainly get a solution set.
▪ It is very important to denote the solution set correctly.
▪ To solve the inequality 𝑥 2 − 4 > 0 means to determine all values of 𝑥 for which
the expression 𝑥 2 − 4 will become positive.
▪ To solve the inequality 𝑥 2 − 4 ≥ 0 means to determine all values of 𝑥 for which
the expression 𝑥 2 − 4 will either become zero or positive.
▪ To solve the inequality 𝑥 2 − 4 < 0 means to determine all values of 𝑥 for which
the expression 𝑥 2 − 4 will become negative.
▪ To solve the inequality 𝑥 2 − 4 ≤ 0 means to determine all values of 𝑥 for which
the expression 𝑥 2 − 4 will become negative or zero.
Simple quadratic inequalities
▪ Inequalities can have infinitely solutions, one solution or no solution at all.
▪ To solve simple non-linear inequalities, follow the steps below:
1. Move all the terms to the left-hand side and leave 0 on the right-hand side.
✓ The inequality 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 < 6 becomes 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 < 0.
✓ The inequality 12 − 𝑥 < −𝑥 2 becomes 12 − 𝑥 + 𝑥 2 < 0.
✓ The inequality 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 < 0 remains the same.
2. If you divide or multiply the inequality by a negative number, remember to
change the inequality sign.
✓ If we multiply or divide the inequality −𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 6 > 0 throughout by −1,
it becomes 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 < 0.
✓ If we divide the inequality −2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 12 < 0 throughout by −2, it
becomes 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 > 0.
3. Where applicable, and if possible, factorise the left-hand side.
✓ The inequality 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 > 0 becomes 𝑥(𝑥 + 2) > 0.
✓ The inequality 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 < 0 becomes (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) < 0.
4. Find the zero points or critical values of the factors on the left-hand side.
✓ The inequality (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) < 0 has the zero points 3 and −2.
5. Find the solution in the following way:
✓ If the inequality is less than (<), then the solution lies between the two
zero points.
✓ The solution has the following format:
smaller zero point < 𝑥 < larger zero point
✓ The solution simply says the solution is between the two zero points.
✓ Here is a quick example:
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 6 < 0 Zero points: 3, −2
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) < 0 Solution: −2 < 𝑥 < 3
✓ Note that −2 is the smaller zero point and 3 is the larger zero point.
✓ If the inequality is ≤ instead of <, thus we have 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 ≤ 0, then the
solution will be: −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3.
✓ The solution above thus includes the zero points.
✓ That is, the solution is not just between −2 and 3, but includes −2 and 3.
✓ If the inequality is greater than (>), then the solution is less than the
smaller zero point and bigger than the larger zero point.
✓ The solution has the following format:
 𝑥 < smaller zero point or 𝑥 > larger zero point
✓ Here is a quick example:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 12 ≥ 0 Zero points: 4, −3
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 3) ≥ 0 𝑥 ≤ −3 or 𝑥 ≥ 4
✓ Note that −3 is the smaller zero point and 4 is the larger zero point.
✓ Here is another example:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 > 0 Zero points: 5, −2
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 2) > 0 𝑥 < −2 or 𝑥 > 5

Complex quadratic inequalities

▪ To solve complex inequalities, you should follow the steps 1 to 4 from the previous
section (simple non-linear inequalities).
▪ To find the solution for complex non-linear inequalities, a number of methods are
available.
▪ Three common methods in school level are the number line, table method and
parabola method.
▪ In this study guide, we will mainly use the number line method.
▪ In using these methods, remember that:
✓ Less than 0 (< 0) implies that the solution is in the negatives.
✓ Greater than 0 (> 0) implies that the solution is in the positives.
✓ This will become clearer as we tackle practical problems.

Number line method

▪ For reasons of simplicity, we will use a simple non-linear inequality to show how
this method works.
▪ Consider the following example:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 ≥ 0
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 2) ≥ 0
𝐶𝑉: 5, −2
▪ Represent your critical values on a number line in ascending order as follows:

▪ If a critical value can be part of the solution, it gets a shaded circle.

▪ If a critical value cannot be part of the solution, it gets an open circle.
▪ The circle is shaded when there is an equal sign in the inequality.
▪ The open circle is when there no equal sign in the inequality.
▪ Choose any number less than −2 and substitute it in the left-hand side of the
inequality. Let us say we use −3:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 9 + 9 − 10
(−3)2 − 3(−3) − 10 8
▪ We are in fact looking for the sign of the solution (not the value of 8).
▪ The sign of the solution is positive, and we have to place a positive sign before −2
on the number line as follows:

▪ Moving along, choose any number between −2 and 5. The number 0 looks quite
convenient.
▪ We also have to substitute this number on the left-hand side of the inequality:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 0 − 0 − 10
(0)2 − 3(0) − 10 −10
▪ The solution has a negative sign. Place the negative sign between −2 and 5 on
the number line:

▪ Finally, choose any number that is greater than 5, say 7.

▪ Substitute the 7 wherever there is 𝑥 on the left-hand side of the inequality:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 49 − 21 − 10
(7)2 − 3(7) − 10 18
▪ The solution has a positive sign, and we can put a positive sign after 5 on the
number line:

▪ Now that we have filled the number line, we can now determine the solution.
▪ Our inequality is greater than or equal to (≥), which means that the solution
reside where there are positive signs.
▪ There is a positive sign before −2, which means that part of the solution is on the
left side of −2.
▪ All the numbers that are on the left side of −2 on a number line are less than −2.
▪ Therefore, the first solution set will be as follows:
𝑥 ≤ −2
▪ Note that the solution will include −2 because of the equal sign in the inequality.
▪ There is another positive sign after 5, which means that part of the solution is on
the right side of 5.
▪ All the numbers of the right side of 5 on a number line are greater than 5.
▪ Therefore, the second solution set will be as follows:
𝑥≥5
▪ Note that the solution will include 5 because of the equal sign in the inequality.
▪ Therefore, the full solution set for the inequality will be as follows:
𝑥 ≤ −2 or 𝑥 ≥ 5

▪ Let us use another simple non-linear inequality to demonstrate how the number
line method works:
▪ Consider the following inequality:
 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 < 0
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 4) < 0
𝐶𝑉: 5, −4
▪ Represent your critical values on a number line as follows:

▪ Note that circles above the critical values are not shaded as there is no equal sign
on the inequality.
▪ We have to choose any number that is less than −4 and substitute it into the left-
hand side of the inequality. Let us say we choose −5:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 25 + 5 − 20
(−5)2 − (−5) − 20 10
▪ We are in fact looking for the sign of the solution (not the value 10).
▪ The sign of the solution is positive, and we have to place a positive sign before −4
on the number line as follows:

▪ Moving along, we have to choose any number between −4 and 5. The number 0
looks quite convenient.
▪ We also have to substitute this number on the left-hand side of the inequality:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 0 − 0 − 20
(0)2 − 0 − 20 −20
▪ The solution has a negative sign. Place the negative sign between −4 and 5 on
the number line:

▪ Finally, we have to choose any number that is greater than 5. Let us go for 7.
▪ We have to substitute 7 wherever there is 𝑥 on the left-hand side of the
inequality:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 49 − 7 − 20
(7)2 − 7 − 20 22
▪ The solution has a positive sign, and we can put the positive sign after 5 on the
number line:

▪ Now that we have filled the number line, we can now determine the solution.
▪ Our inequality is less than or equal to 0 (≤ 0), which means that the solutions
reside where there are negative signs.
▪ On the number line, the negative sign is between our critical values, −4 and 5.
▪ Therefore, our solution will be all the numbers that are between −4 and 5.
▪ In Math format, the solution will be represented as follows:
−4 < 𝑥 < 5
▪ This is read as “−4 less than 𝑥 less than 5” and it simply means that 𝑥 is greater
than −4 but the same 𝑥 is less than 5.
▪ We will now solve more inequalities, mainly using the number line method.
Example
Solve for 𝑥: 𝑥(𝑥 − 4) > 0.
Solution
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left side of the inequality.
✓ The left side is already factorised, so we can determine the zero points:
Zero points: 0, 4
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than 0 (> 0), which means the solution lies on the
positive regions.
✓ Therefore, the other solutions are less than 0 and the other solutions are greater
than 4:
𝑥 < 0 or 𝑥 > 4

Example
Solve for 𝑥 if (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 6) ≤ 0.
Solution
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality.
✓ The left side is already factorised, so we can determine the zero points:
Zero points: 3, 6
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than or equal to 0 (≤ 0), which means the solutions lie on
the negative region.
✓ On the number line, the negative sign is between the critical values 3 and 6.
✓ Therefore, the solutions for the inequality are between 3 and 6:
3≤𝑥≤6
Example
Solve for 𝑥: 𝑥 2 ≤ 2𝑥 + 8.
Solution
✓ In this case, we have to take all terms to one side of the inequality first:
𝑥 2 ≤ 2𝑥 + 8
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 ≤ 0
✓ Then we can factorise the expression on the left side:
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 2) ≤ 0
✓ Then we can find the zero points or critical values:
Zero points: 4, −2
✓ We will use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than or equal to 0 (≤ 0), thus the solution lies on the
negative region.
✓ On the number line, the negative sign lies between the critical values −2 and 4.
✓ Therefore, the solutions for the inequality are between −2 and 4.
✓ As there is an equal sign on the inequality, the values −2 and 4 will be included
on the solution.
−2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4
Example
Solve for: (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2) < 6
Solution
✓ In this case, we can multiply the terms on the left side of the inequality first:
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2) < 6
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 𝑥 + 2 < 6
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 < 6
✓ Then we can take the term on the right side to the left side:
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 − 6 < 0
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 < 0
✓ Then we can factorise the left side of the inequality:
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 1) < 0
✓ Then we can we determine the critical values of the inequality:
Zero points: 4, −1
✓ We can use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than, therefore the solution is on the negative region.
✓ On the number line, the negative region is between the critical values −1 and 4.
✓ Therefore, the solutions for the inequality are between −1 and 4:
−1 < 𝑥 < 4
Example
Solve for 𝑥 if 2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 8 ≥ 0.
Solution
✓ In this case, all terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality:
2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 8 ≥ 0
✓ We can start by dividing all terms on the inequality by 2:
 2𝑥 2 6𝑥 8 0
+ − ≥
2 2 2 2
𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 4 ≥ 0
✓ We can then factorise the left-hand side of the inequality:
(𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 − 1) ≥ 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: − 4, 1
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than or equal to 0 (≥ 0), therefore the solution lies on
the positive regions.
✓ On the number line, the positive sign is on the left side of −4 and another one is
on the right hand side of 1.
✓ Therefore, one set of solutions is less than or equal −4 and another set of
solutions is greater or equal to 1:
𝑥 ≤ −4 or 𝑥 ≥ 1

Example
Solve for 𝑥 in the following: −3(𝑥 + 7)(𝑥 − 5) < 0.
Solution
✓ In this case, all the terms are on the left-hand side of the inequality:
−3(𝑥 + 7)(𝑥 − 5) < 0
✓ The left-hand side of the inequality is also factorised.
✓ We can start by dividing both sides of the inequality by −3:
−3(𝑥 + 7)(𝑥 − 5) 0
<
−3 −3
✓ Since we are dividing by a negative value, the inequality sign has to change:
(𝑥 + 7)(𝑥 − 5) > 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: − 7, 5
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is now greater than 0, which means the solutions will lie on the
positive region.
✓ On the number line, the positive sign is on the left side of −7 and on the right side
of 5.
✓ Therefore, one set of solutions will be on the left side of −7 and another set of
solutions will be on the right side of 5:
𝑥 < −7 or 𝑥 > 5

Example
Solve for 𝑥: 𝑥(𝑥 + 10) > −25.
Solution
✓ In this case, we may have to simplify the left-hand side by multiplying:
𝑥(𝑥 + 10) > −25
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 > −25
✓ We can then take the non-zero terms on the right-hand side to the left-hand side:
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 25 > 0
✓ We can factorise the expression on the left-hand side of the inequality:
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 5) > 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: − 5, −5
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution.
✓ Note that our critical values are actually equal, and therefore, they will be
represented only once on the number line:

✓ The inequality is greater than 0 (> 0), which means the solutions will lie on
positive regions.
✓ On the number line, the positive regions are on either side of the critical value −5.
✓ Therefore, our solutions will be on the left side of −5 and on the right side of −5:
𝑥 < −5 or 𝑥 > −5
✓ In actual fact, the solution comprises of all real values of 𝑥 except the value −5.
Example
Solve for 𝑥: 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 ≥ 0.
Solution
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality:
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 ≥ 0
✓ We can then factorise the trinomial on the left-hand side:
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 2) ≥ 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: 2, 2
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than or equal to 0 (≥ 0), which means that the solutions
lie on the positive region.
✓ On the number line, the positive regions are on either side of the critical value 2.
✓ Therefore, our solutions will be on the left side of 2 and on the right side of 2.
✓ Due to the equal sign, the solutions will also include the critical value:
𝑥 ≤ 2 or 𝑥 ≥ 2
✓ The solution comprises all values less than or equal to 2 and all values greater
than or equal to 2.
✓ In actual fact, these are all real values of 𝑥, and as such, the solution can be given
as follows: 𝑥 ∈ ℝ.
Example
Solve for 𝑥 if (𝑥 + 1)(4 − 𝑥) > 0.
Solution
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left side of the inequality.
✓ The left side is already factorised, so we can determine the zero points:
Zero points: −1, 4
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than 0, which means the solutions lies on the positive
region.
✓ On the number line, the positive sign is between the critical values −1 and 4.
✓ Therefore, the solution is between the critical values −1 and 4:
−1 < 𝑥 < 4
Example
Determine the sum of all integers satisfying 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 < 20.
Solution
✓ In this case, we can take 20 to the left-hand side of the inequality first:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 < 20
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 < 0
✓ We can then factorise the expression on the left-hand side:
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 4) < 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: 5, −4
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than 0, which means the solution lies on the negative
regions.
✓ On the number line, the negative sign is between the critical values −4 and 5.
✓ Therefore, the solutions for the inequality lies between −4 and 5:
−4 < 𝑥 < 5
✓ The instruction is to determine the sum of all integers which are part of the
solution for the inequality
✓ Therefore, we have to add all the integers between the values −4 and 5:
Sum = (−3) + (−2) + (−1) + 0 + 1 + 2 + 3 + 4
Sum = 4
✓ Note that, in the addition process, the values −4 and 5 are excluded as they are
not part of the solutions of the inequality.
Example
Given: (3𝑚 − 1)(4 − 𝑚) > 0
1. Determine the possible values of 𝑚.
2. Hence, determine the sum of all integers that satisfy the inequality.

Solution
1. Analysis:
✓ In this case, all the non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the
inequality:
(3𝑚 − 1)(4 − 𝑚) > 0
✓ The expression on the left-hand side is also factorised.
✓ We can then start by determining the critical values of the factors:
1
𝐶𝑉: ,4
3
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than 0, which means the solution lies on the positive
regions.
1
✓ On the number line, the positive sign lies between the critical values and 4.
3
1
✓ Therefore, the solutions to the inequality are between and 4:
3
1
<𝑚<4
3
2. Analysis:
✓ We have to determine the integers that satisfy the inequality.
✓ These are integers which are part of the solution of the inequality.
1
✓ Therefore, these are integer values between and 4, which are as follows:
3
1, 2 and 3
✓ The sum of the integer values is as follows:
𝑠𝑢𝑚 = 1 + 2 + 3
𝑠𝑢𝑚 = 6

▪ There are certain inequalities which can be solved through insight and
intuition.
▪ For instance, you may realise that one of the factors of the inequality is always
positive or always negative.
▪ The following factors are always positive: 𝑥 2 + 5, √𝑥, 2𝑥 and similar others.
▪ Note that if you have an inequality like (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 4) < 0:
✓ Less than 0 implies that the expression on the left must evaluate to a
negative value.
✓ So, either (𝑥 − 3) must be positive (+) and (𝑥 + 4) must be negative (−).
✓ Else, (𝑥 − 3) must be negative (−) and (𝑥 + 4) must be positive (+).
 ✓ Only two different signs yield a negative outcome when multiplied.
Example
Solve for 𝑥: 3𝑥 (𝑥 − 5) < 0
Solution
✓ The inequality is less than 0, which means the expression on the left-hand side
of the inequality must evaluate to a negative value.
✓ In this case, the factor 3 𝑥 will always be positive (think of the graph 𝑦 = 3 𝑥 ).
✓ Therefore, for the outcome to be negative, the (𝑥 − 5) part must be negative.
✓ Therefore, we only need to solve the following inequality:
(𝑥 − 5) < 0
✓ This is a linear inequality where you simply isolate the required variable:
𝑥−5<0
𝑥<5

Example
Solve for 𝑥: (𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 3) < 0.
Solution
✓ In this case, the factor (𝑥 − 1)2 will always be greater than or equal to 0 as it is a
perfect square:
(𝑥 − 1)2 ≥ 0
✓ Therefore, for the outcome to be negative, the factor (𝑥 − 3) must be less than 0:
∴ 𝑥−3 < 0
𝑥<3
✓ Note that the inequality can still be solved using the method we discussed:
(𝑥 − 1)2 (𝑥 − 3) < 0
✓ The non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality.
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: 1, 3
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than 0 (< 0), which means the solution lies on the
negative regions.
✓ The negative sign is on the left hand side of the critical value 1 and also on the
left hand side of the critical value 3.
✓ Therefore, the first set of solutions are less than 1 and the second set of
solutions are less than 3:
𝑥 < 1 or 𝑥 < 3
✓ The first solution set is covered on the second solution set.
✓ We can then join the two solutions together:
𝑥<3
Example
Solve for 𝑥: 5𝑥 (𝑥 + 8) < 0.
Solution
✓ The given inequality has two factors, one in exponential form and another one in
a linear form.
✓ The inequality is less than 0, which means it must evaluate to a negative value.
✓ The factor 5 𝑥 will always be positive (think of the graph of 𝑦 = 5 𝑥 ).
✓ Therefore, for the outcome to be negative, the factor (𝑥 + 8) must be negative.
✓ Therefore, we only need to solve the following inequality:
𝑥+8<0
✓ This is a linear inequality where you simply isolate the required variable:
𝑥+8<0
𝑥 < −8

✓ If you so wish, note that the inequality can still be solved by using the
procedural method we discussed:
5 𝑥 (𝑥 + 8) < 0
✓ The non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality.
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors.
✓ Note that factor 5 𝑥 has no zero point, as it will never be equal to 0.
✓ Therefore, we only have the critical value for the factor (𝑥 + 8):
𝐶𝑉: −8
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than 0, which means the solutions lies on the negative
region.
✓ On the number line, the negative region is on the left side of −8.
✓ Therefore, the solutions to the inequality are less than −8:
𝑥 < −8

Example
Solve for 𝑥: 2−𝑥 (𝑥 + 4) ≤ 0.
Solution
✓ The inequality is less than or equals to 0, which means it must evaluate to a
negative value or 0.
✓ The factor 2−𝑥 will always be positive (think of the exponential graph of 𝑦 = 2−𝑥 ).
✓ Therefore, for the outcome to be negative or 0, the factor (𝑥 + 4) must be
negative or 0.
✓ Therefore, we only need to solve the following inequality:
𝑥+4≤0
✓ This is a linear inequality where we simply isolate the required variable:
𝑥+4≤0
𝑥 ≤ −4
Example
Solve for 𝑥 if (𝑥 − 5)2 (𝑥 + 2) ≤ 0.
Solution
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left side of the inequality.
✓ The left side is already factorised, so we can determine the zero points:
Zero points: 5, −2
✓ We can then use the number line to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than or equal to 0 (≤ 0), which means the solution lies on
the negative region.
✓ On the number line, the negative region is on the left side of the critical value −2.
✓ This means that our solutions will be on the left side of −2.
𝑥 ≤ −2
✓ However, the inequality in the given example has an equal sign on it.
✓ Which means that values that make the expression evaluate to 0 must also be
included in the solution.
✓ There are two values that can make the left side evaluate to 0.
✓ The values are −2 and 5, which are the zero points of the inequality.
✓ However, in our solution (𝑥 ≤ −2), the value of 5 is not included.
✓ Therefore, the full solution is as follows:
𝑥 ≤ −2 and 𝑥 = 5

Example
−4
Solve for 𝑥 if > 0.
𝑥

Solution
✓ The given inequality is greater than 0 (> 0), which means we need values of 𝑥
that will make the expression on the left-hand side to be positive.
✓ On the left-hand side, the numerator of the fraction is already negative.
✓ Therefore, for the expression on the left-hand side to be positive, the
denominator must also be negative.
✓ The reason for this is that if we divide two numbers with the same sign, we get a
positive value.
✓ Therefore, to solve this inequality, we simply take the denominator and make it
less than 0:
𝑥<0
Example
Determine the value(s) of 𝑥 for which the following expression will be real:
√(4 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 6)

Solution
✓ Remember that the square root of 𝑎 (√𝑎) is valid if and only if 𝑎 ≥ 0.
✓ For the expression to be real, the part inside the square root must be 0 or positive:
(4 − 𝑥)(𝑥 + 6) ≥ 0
✓ Therefore, we have derived an inequality that we can then solve.
✓ All the non-zero terms are already on the left-hand side of the inequality.
✓ The expression on the left-hand side of the inequality is already factorised.
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: 4, −6
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is greater than or equal to 0 (≥ 0), which means that the solutions
lie on the positive region and on the critical values.
✓ On the number line, the positive region is between the critical values −6 and 4.
✓ Therefore, the solutions for the inequality are from −6 to 4:
−6 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4
Example
Solve for 𝑥: (𝑥 + 3)√𝑥 + 6 < 0.
Solution
✓ The given inequality contains a part that has a square root.
✓ It is advisable to consider the square root part first, since a square root of a
number is valid only under certain conditions.
✓ The √𝑥 + 6 can only be valid if and only if the part inside the square root is 0 or
greater than 0:
𝑥+6≥0
✓ This is a linear inequality that we can solve by isolating 𝑥:
𝑥 ≥ −6
✓ But we do not need the expression to evaluate to 0, so we will remove the equal
sign from the inequality:
𝑥 > −6
✓ By definition, the square root of any number is 0 or positive.
✓ Therefore, 𝑥 + 6 can only evaluate to 0 or to a positive value.
✓ The given inequality is less than 0 (< 0), which means that the expression on the
left-hand side must evaluate to a negative value.
✓ But the √𝑥 + 6 part already evaluates to a positive value.
✓ Therefore, for the left-hand side to be negative, the (𝑥 + 3) part must be
negative, as it is getting multiplied to a positive part:
𝑥+3<0
✓ This is another linear inequality that we can solve by isolating 𝑥:
𝑥 < −3
✓ The first solution says 𝑥 must be greater than −6 and the second solution says 𝑥
must be less than −3.
✓ For a better visualization, we can represent the two solutions on a number line:
✓ To a certain extent, the solutions have some conflicting parts.
✓ Therefore, we need to join the solutions by including the common parts.
✓ The common parts of both solutions are between the values −6 and −3:
−6 < 𝑥 < −3
Example
A rectangular room has a width of 𝑥 metres. The length of the room is 4 metres
longer than the width. The perimeter of the room is greater than 19.2 metres and the
area of the room is less than 21 square metres.
1. Show that 𝑥 > 2.8.
2. Write down an inequality in terms of 𝑥 for the area of the room.
3. Solve the inequality.
4. Hence, determine the valid range of possible values of 𝑥.

Solution
1. Analysis:
✓ In this case, we know that the perimeter of the room is greater than 19.8 𝑚:
𝑃 > 19.2
✓ To determine the perimeter of a rectangle, we have to add all the four sides
of the polygon:
𝑙 + 𝑏 + 𝑙 + 𝑏 > 19.2
✓ Therefore, we need to determine the breadth and length of the rectangle.
✓ The breadth of the rectangle is given as 𝑥 metres:
𝑏=𝑥
✓ The length of the rectangle is said to be 4 metres than the breadth:
𝑙 = 𝑥+4
✓ We can substitute the values of the breadth and length into the formulated
inequality:
𝑙 + 𝑏 + 𝑙 + 𝑏 > 19.2
(𝑥 + 4) + (𝑥) + (𝑥 + 4) + (𝑥) > 19.2
✓ We can simplify the inequality further and solve for 𝑥:
𝑥 + 4 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 + 𝑥 > 19.2 4𝑥 > 11.2
𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 𝑥 + 4 + 4 > 19.2 4𝑥 11.2
>
4𝑥 + 8 > 19.2 4 4
4𝑥 > 19.2 − 8 𝑥 > 2.8
2. Analysis:
✓ The area of the rectangular room is given as less than 21 𝑚2 :
𝐴 < 21
✓ To determine the area of a rectangle, we multiply the length and the
breadth:
(𝑙)(𝑏) < 21
✓ We can then substitute the values of the length and the breadth:
 (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥) < 21
✓ We can then simplify the formulated inequality further:
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 < 21
3. Analysis:
✓ We have formulated the following quadratic inequality:
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 < 21
✓ We can then take 21 to the left-hand side of the inequality:
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 21 < 0
✓ We can then factorise the left-hand side of the inequality:
(𝑥 + 7)(𝑥 − 3) < 0
✓ We can then determine the critical values of the factors:
𝐶𝑉: − 7, 3
✓ We can then use the number line method to determine the solution:

✓ The inequality is less than 0 (< 0) and therefore, the solutions lie on the
negative region.
✓ On the number line, the negative region is between the critical values −7
and 3.
✓ Therefore, the solutions to the inequality lie between −7 and 3:
−7 < 𝑥 < 3
4. Analysis:
✓ In the first question, we established that 𝑥 is greater than 2.8:
𝑥 > 2.8
✓ In the third question, we established that 𝑥 is between −7 and 3:
−7 < 𝑥 < 3
✓ Therefore, the valid values of 𝑥 for this case must be between 2.8 and 3.
✓ As such, the valid range for possible values of 𝑥 for this case is as follows:
2.8 < 𝑥 < 3
Additional information
▪ The inequality (𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 − 3) < 0 does not imply 𝑥 + 6 < 0 or 𝑥 − 3 < 0.
• A quadratic inequality should not be solved like a quadratic equation.
𝑥 2
▪ The inequality > does not evaluate to 𝑥 2 > 8.
4 𝑥
▪ In an inequality, never multiply both sides with a common denominator (𝐿𝐶𝐷) if
such an 𝐿𝐶𝐷 contains a variable.
𝑥 4
• For instance, consider the following inequality: < .
4 𝑥
• The lowest common denominator for this inequality is 4𝑥.
• We cannot multiply by 4𝑥 since 4𝑥 could be a negative value.