2.

4 Linear
inequalities and
problem solving
Objectives
I will use interval
notation.
I will solve linear
inequalities using the
addition property of
inequality.
Objectives
I will solve linear
inequalities using the
multiplication property
of inequality.
I will solve problems
that can be modeled by
linear inequalities.
Why are linear inequalities
important?
Suppose a salesperson earns a base
salary of $600 per month plus a
commission of 20% of sales. Find the
minimum amount of sales needed to
receive a total of at least $1500 per
month. Here, the phrase at least implies
that an income of $1500 or more is
acceptable. In symbols, we can write
income 1500
Section 1: Linear Inequality in
one variable
A linear inequality in one variable is
an inequality that can be written in
the form

ax + b < c

Where a, b, and c are
real numbers and a 0
Solution
A solution of an inequality is a value of the
variable that makes the inequality a true
statement.

Solution Set
The solution set of an inequality is the set
of all solutions.
x > 2
Contains all numbers greater than 2
The graph of {x/ x>2} looks like the following.

2
Interval Notation
With interval notation use a parenthesis instead of an
open circle. The graph of {x/ x>2} will now look like
this


This graph can be represented in interval notation as
(2, ) The graph parenthesis indicates that 2 is NOT
included in the interval.
2
Interval Notation
Use a bracket if a number IS included in
the interval. To graph, {x / x 2} use a
bracket instead of a parenthesis.



This inequality written in set notation is [2, )



2
Check your understanding
Set Notation: {x / x < a}

Graph:

Interval Notation: (-, a)


See page 84
a
Example 1
Graph each set on a number line and
then write in interval notation.

a. {x/ x 2} b. {x / x < -1} c. {x/ 0.5 <x 3
Section 2: Addition Property of
Inequality
If a, b, and c are real numbers, then
a < b and a + c < b
+ c

Example 2
Solve x -2 < 5. Graph the
solution set.
x 2 < 5
x 2 + 2 < 5 + 2
x < 7
The solution set is {x / x < 7}
Interval notation is (- , 7)

7 8 6


You try it!
Write the solution in set notation, interval
notation, and graph

Solve: x +3 < 1

Example 3
Solve 3x + 4 2 x 6
3 x + 4 2 x 6
3 x + 4 4 2x 6 4
3x 2x 10
3x 2x 2x 10 2x
x -10
Solution Set: {x / x -10} Interval Notation: [-10, )
[
-10 -9 -11
You try it!
Solve: 5 x 1 4 x + 4
Section 3: Multiplication
property of inequality
If a, b, and c are real numbers and c
is positive then
a < b and ac < bc
are equivalent inequalities.

If a,b,c and c are real numbers and c is
negative, then
a < b and ac > bc
are equivalent inequalities.

Hint
Whenever both sides of an inequality are
multiplied or divided by a negative
number, the direction of the inequality
symbol must be reversed to form an
equivalent inequality.
Example 4: Solve and graph
the solution set.
1 3
4 8
x s
1 3
4 4
4 8
x - s -
Multiply both sides
by 4
3
2
x s
Inequality symbol is the same since
we are multiplying by a positive
number.
3 3
,
2 2
x x

| (
s
`

(
\
)
Example 4: Solve and graph
the solution set.
-2.3 x < 6.9
-2.3 x > 6.9
-2.3 -2.3
x > -3
Set Notation {x/ x > -3} Interval Notation (-3, )
Inequality symbol
is reversed since
we divided by a
negative number.
Concept Check - In which of the
following inequalities must the inequality
symbol be reversed during the solution?
a. -2x > 7
b. 2x 3 > 10
c. -x + 4 + 3x < 7
d. - x + 4 < 5
Steps for solving a linear
inequality in one variable
Step 1: Clear the equation of fractions
Step 2: Use distributive property to
remove grouping symbols.
Step 3: Combine like terms on each
side of the inequality.
Step 4: Use the addition property of
inequality
Step 5: Use the multiplication property
of inequality.
ULTIMATE GOAL- ISOLATE THE
VARIABLE!
Example 5
Solve: - (x 3) + 2 3 (2x 5) + x
-(x 3) + 2 3 (2x 5) + x
-x + 3 + 2 6 x 15 + x
-x + 5 7 x 15
-x + 5 + x 7 x 15 + x
20 8 x



5 5
2 2
x or x s >
Write the problem
Distributive property
Combine like terms
Add x to both sides
Add 15 to both sides
Divide both sides by 8 and
simplify 5
,
2
|

.
You try it!
-(2x 6) 4 (2x 4) + 2
Example 6: Solve:
( )
2
6 1
5
x x >
( )
2
6 1
5
x x >
( )
2
5 ( 6) 5 1
5
x x
(
>
(

2 12 5 5 x x >
3 12 5 x >
3 7 x >
7
3
x s
Write inequality
Clear the fractions
( ) ( )
2 6 5 1 x x >
Distribute
Subtract 5 x
from both sides
Add 12 to both sides
Divide both sides by negative
3, this will reverse inequality
symbol!
You try it!
( )
3
2 6
4
x x + >
Example 7: Solve 2 (x+3) > 2x + 1
2 (x + 3) > 2 x + 1
2 x + 6 > 2 x + 1
2x + 6 2x > 2x + 1 2x
6 > 1
6 >1 is a true statement for all values of x, so this
inequality and the original inequality are true for
all numbers.

{x / x is a real number} OR (- , )
You try it!
5(x 3) < 5x + 2
Section 4: Application
Example 8
A salesperson earns $600 per month plus a
commission of 20% of sales. Find the
minimum amount of sales needed to
receive a total income of at least $1500
per month.
TRANSLATE: Let x = amount of sales
600 + 0.20x 1500
Solve
600 + 0.20x 1500
600 + 0.20x - 600 1500 600
0.20x 900
x 4500

Interpret: The income for sales of $4500 is
600 + 0.20 (4500) = 1500
Thus, if sales are greater than or equal to
$4500, income is greater than or equal to
$1500.


Try it!
A salesperson earns $1000 a month plus a
commission of 15% of sales. Find the
minimum amount of sales needed to
receive a total income of at least $4000
per month.
Example 9 Finding annual
consumption
In the U.S., the annual consumption of
cigarettes is declining. The consumption
c in billions of cigarettes per year since
the year 1985 can be approximated by
the formula
c = -14.25t + 598.69
Where t is the number of years after 1985.
Use this formula to predict the years that
the consumption of cigarettes will be less
than 200 billion per year.
Understand
Read and re-read the problem. To
become familiar with the given formula,
lets find the cigarette consumption after
25 years, which would be the year 1985 +
25, or 2010. To do so, we substitute 25 for t
in the given formula.
c = -14.25 (25) + 598.69
c = 242.44
Thus, in 2010, we predict cigarette
consumption to be about 242.44 billion.
Translate
We are looking for the years that
consumption of cigarettes c is less than
200. Since we are finding years t, we
substitute the expression in the formula for
c, or
-14.25 t + 598.69 < 200
Solve: -14.25 t + 598.69 < 200
-14.25 t + 598.69 < 200
-14.25 t < -398.69
t > 27.98
Interpret:
We substitute a number greater than
27.98 and see that c is less than 200.
The annual consumption of cigarettes will
be less than 200 billion for the years more
than 27.98 years after 1985, or
approximately 28 + 1985 = 2013.
You Try It!
Use the formula c = -14.25t + 598.69 to
predict when the consumption of
cigarettes will be less than 100 billion per
year.