Solving Inequalities

Symbol Words Example

> greater than: x > 2
< less than: x < -1
≥ greater than or equal to : -5 ≥ x
≤ less than or equal to: -3 ≤ x
 “x > 2”
Means that whatever value x has, it must be greater
than 2
“x < -1”
This means whatever value x has it must be less than -1

“-5 ≥ x”
Means that whatever value x has, it must be less that or
equal to -5
“-3 ≤ x”
This means that whatever value x has it must be greater
that or equal to 3
 Graphing Rules

Symbol Circle Direction of

arrow
> open right

< open left

≥ closed right

≤ closed left
 x>2
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x < -1
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
5≥x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
-3 ≤ x
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5
x-2 > 9
= x > 11
Solution:
x-2 > 9
You will transfer -2 on the right side so it will change into 2: x > 9+2
Then you will perform addition and it will become x > 11

x+8 ≥ 4
= x ≥ -4
Solution:
x+8 ≥ 4

You will transfer positive 8 on the right side so it will change into -8: x
≥ 4-8
Then you will perform the rules of subtraction : x ≥ 4+(-8)
Lastly you will perform addition and the answer will be x ≥ -4
Are the following points solutions of 4x-y<4?

(0,-1) (2,3) (-1,1)

4x-y< 4 4x-y < 4 4x-y < 4
4(0)-1 < 4 4(2)-(3) < 4 4(-1)-1 < 4
4(0)+1 < 4 8+(-3) < 4 -4 + (-1) < 4
0+ 1 < 4 5<4 -5 < 4
1<4
1<4–T 5< 4-F -5 < 4 – T
5=4 -F -5=4-F
1=4-F

A SOLUTION NOT A SOLUTION

 Determine wheter (-1, 1/3) is a solution of each of those
inequalities.
a.) 4x – 3y < -9 c.) x-3y < -3
b.) 3x+ 6y < 4

A.)
-3 < 4 – T
4x-3y < -9
-3 =4 - F
4(-1) -3( 1 )
1 3 A solution
-4 + 1 < 4
-3 < 4
B.) 3x + 6y < 4
3(-1) + 6 ( 1)
2

-1 < 4 – T
1 3 -1= 4 - F
-3+ 2 < 4
1

-1 < 4
C.)
x- 3y < -3
(-1) – 3(1) < - 3 -2 < -3 – T
1 3
-2 = -3 - F
-1 – 1 < -3
-1 + (-1) < -3
-2 < -3
 Determine the solution set of this system of inequalities .
Dashline > or < solid line > or <

x+y > 2
x-y < 2

x+y = 2 x-y=2
x y x y

0 2 0 -2
0+0 > 2
0>2 F
2 0 2 0 0-0 < 2
0<2 T
x+2y =4
2x-y=3

X+ 2y=4 2x-y=3
2y=4 x y 2x=3 -y=3
2 2 0 2
2 2 -1 -1
Y= 2 x=1.5
x y
2 0
0 -3

X=4 y=-3 1.5 0