In this section, we

will apply our

knowledge of solving solving rational
inequalities and absolute values.

Please try to control your excitement.

Example: Solve the inequality

Step 1: Write the inequality so that
rational expression is on the left
side and zero is on the right side

2x 3
x4

2x 3
1 0
x 4

2x 3
x4

0
x4
x4
Step 2: Use only addition or

subtraction to get an equivalent

inequality

Step 3: Simplify and factorise the

numerator and denominator

2x 3 x 4
x4

x7
0
x4

The critical values of x are -7 and 4.

Step 4: Use the real number line method or table of signs

to determine the intervals that satisfy the inequality.
Intervals

- < x -7

-7 x < 4

4< x <

Test value

-8

10

x+7

x-4

(x + 7)(x 4)

Note that 4 is NOT in the solution set.

We want

2x 3
1 0
x4

(that is positive)

Therefore, the solution is (-, 7] U (4, )

Rational Inequalities - Algebraically

Algebraically,findthezeros,thecritical
2x 7
numbersandtestintervalsof
3
x5

2x 7
30
x5
2x 7 3x 15
0
x5
x 8
0
x5

Standardform
tofindzeroes
Addfractions
Simplify

The critical values of x are 8 and 5.

So,dividethenumberlineatx=8andatx=5.
Aim:RationalInequalities

Course:Adv.Alg.&Trig.

Notethat5isNOTinthesolutionset.

NUMBER LINE?

Aim:RationalInequalities

Course:Adv.Alg.&Trig.

ABSOLUTE VALUES

ABSOLUTE VALUES

you need to get all of them memorized. Flash card time. I highly suggest
that you have your flash cards laminated..then you can take them into the

Ex: Solve 6x-3 = 15

6x-3 = 15 or
6x = 18 or
x = 3 or

6x-3 = -15
6x = -12
x = -2

* Plug in answers to check your solutions!

Ex: Solve 2x + 7 -3 = 8
Get the abs. value part by itself first!
2x+7 = 11
Now split into 2 parts.
2x+7 = 11 or 2x+7 = -11
2x = 4 or 2x = -18
x = 2 or x = -9
Check the solutions.

Ex: Solve & graph.

4 x 9 21
Becomes an and problem

21 4 x 9 21

12 4 x 30
15
3 x
2
-3

Solve & graph.

3x 2 3 11

Get absolute value by itself first.

3x 2 8
Becomes an or problem

3x 2 8 or 3x 2 8
3 x 10 or

3 x 6

10
x
or x 2
3

-2

Example 1:

This is an or statement.
(Greator). Rewrite.

|2x + 1| > 7
2x + 1 > 7 or 2x + 1 >7
2x + 1 >7 or 2x + 1 <-7
x > 3 or

In the 2nd inequality, reverse the

inequality sign and negate the
right side value.
Solve each inequality.

x < -4

Graph the solution.

-4

Example 2:

|x -5|< 3

This is an and statement.

(Less thand).

x -5< 3 and x -5< 3

x -5< 3 and x -5> -3

Rewrite.

In the 2nd inequality, reverse the

inequality sign and negate the
right side value.

x < 8 and x > 2

2<x<8

Solve each inequality.

Graph the solution.

SOLVING ABSOLUTE-VALUE INEQUALITIES

SOLVING ABSOLUTE-VALUE EQUATIONS AND INEQUALITIES

|axb|c

means

axbcandaxbc.

|axb|c
means
axbcandaxbc.
Whenanabsolutevalueislessthananumber,the

inequalitiesareconnectedbyand.Whenanabsolute
means
|axb|c
axbcoraxbc.
valueisgreaterthananumber,theinequalitiesare
connectedbyor.
|axb|c

means

axbcoraxbc.

|axb|c

means

axbcoraxbc.

Solving an Absolute-Value Inequality

Solve|x4 |<3

x4IS POSITIVE
|x4 |3
x43
x7

x4IS NEGATIVE
|x4 |3
x43

x1

Reverse
inequality symbol.

Thesolutionisallrealnumbersgreaterthan1andlessthan7.
Thiscanbewrittenas1x7.

Solving an Absolute-Value Inequality

Solve
|2x1
|36and graph
theISsolution.
2x+1
IS POSITIVE
2x+1
NEGATIVE

|2x1| 36

2x+1IS POSITIVE
|2x1
|9
|2x1
|36
2x1+9
|2x1
|9

|2x1|36

2x+1IS NEGATIVE
|2x1
|9
|2x1
|36
2x19
|2x1
|9

2x10
2x8
2x1
9
2x1+9
x4
x5
2x10
2x8
Thesolutionisallrealnumbersgreaterthanorequal
x4
x5
to4orlessthanorequalto 5.Thiscanbewrittenas
thecompoundinequalityx
5orx4.
4.
Reverse 5
inequality symbol.

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