120 CHAPTER 1 Equations and Inequalities

Solving Inequalities
1 Use Interval Notation
Let a and b represent two real numbers with a <b.

DEFINITION An open interval, denoted by (a, b), consists of all real numbers x for which
a x<b.
A desed interval, denoted by la, bl, consists of all real numbers x for which
a s x sb.
The half-open, or half-closed, intervals are (a, b}, consisting of all real numbers
x for whicha<x sb, and [a, b), consisting of all real numbers x for which
a sx b.
J
In each of these definitions, a is called the left endpoint and b the right endpoint of
the interval.
The symbol oo (read as "infinity") is not a real number, but a notational device
used to indicate unboundedness in the positive direction. The symbol - oo (read as

negative infinity") also is not a real number, but a notational device used to
indicate unboundedness in the negative direction. Using the symbols oo and -oo
we can define five other kinds of intervals:

a, oo) Consists of all real numbers r for which x 2 a

(a, co) Consists ofall real numbers x for which x> a
(-o,a] Consists of all real numbers x for which x a
(-o,a) Consists of all real numbers r for which x < a
( - , o) Consists of all real numbers
Note that co and-00 are never ind ded as endpoints, since neither is a real number.
Table 1 summarizes interval notation, corresponding inequality notation, and
their graphs

Table 1
Iterval Inequality Graph
The open iterval (a, b) a<x<b

The closed interval [a, bl asxsb

The half-open interval [a, b) asx<b

The hal-open iterval (a, bl a<xsb

The interval [a, o) xz a

The interval (a, o) x>a

Theinterval (-,
The interval - , a) x<a

The interval ( - , ) All real numbers

EXAMPLE1 Writing Inequalities Using Interval Notation

Write each inequality using interval notation.
(a) 1 x s3 (b)-4< z <0 (c)x>5 (d) x 1
Solution (a) 1 s x s 3 describes all numbers x between 1 and 3, inclusive. In interval
notation, we write [1, 3].
(b) In interval notation, -4 <x < 0 is written (-4,0).
 SECTION 1.5 Solving Inequalities 121

(c)x5 consists of all numbers x greater than 5. In interval notation, we write

(5, 0).
(d) In interval notation, r l is written (-oo, 1 .

EXAMPLE 2 Writing Intervals Using Inequality Notation

Write each interval as an inequality involving r.
(a) [1,4) (b) (2, co) (c) [2.3] (d) (-o, -3]
Solution (a) [1,4) consists of all numbers x for which 1 x < 4.
(b) (2, co) consists of all numbers x for which x > 2.
(c) [2,3] consists of all numbers x for which 2 sx s 3.
(d) (-oo,-3] consists ofall numbers x for which xs -3.

Now Work pRoBLEMS 1 1, 23, AND 31

2 Use Properties of Inequalities

The product of two positive real numbers is positive, the product of two negative real
numbers is positive, and the product of 0 and 0 is 0. For any real number a, the value of
f is 0 or positive; that is, a is nonnegative. This is called the nonnegative property.

Nonnegative Property
In Words For any real number a,
The sauare of a real number is
never negative. a0 (1)

If we add the same number to both sides of an inequality, we obtain an equiva-

lent inequality. For example, since 3 < 5, then 3 +4 <5 +4 or 7<9. This is
called the addition property of inequalities

Addition Property of Inequalities

In Words For real numbers a, b, and c,
The addition property states
that the sense, or direction, of Ifa<b,then a + c < b t c. (2a)
an inequality remains unchanged
Ifa>b,then a + c>bt C. (2b)
if the same number is added to
cach side.

Figure 2 illustrates the addition property (2a).. In Figure 2(a), we see that a lies
to the left of b. If c is positive, then a t cand b + ceach lie c units to the right of a
and b, respectively. Consequently, a t c must lie to the left of b + c; that is,
a t c < b + c. Figure 2(b) illustrates the situationif c is negative.

Figure 2 C units Cunits

c units -C UniS
-

b a+c b+C a+ C C a

(a) If a«band c>0, (b) If a< b and c<0.

then a+C<b+C. then a+C< b+C.

DRAW AN ILLUsTRATION SIMILAR TO FIGURE 2

THAT ILLUSTRATES THE ADDITION PROPERTY (2b).
122 CHAPTER 1 Equations and Inequalities

EXAMPLE3)Addition Property of Inequalities

(a) Ifx < -5, then x +5 < -5 + 5 or x + 5 <0.
(b) Ifx > 2, then x + (-2) > 2+(-2) orx - 2> 0.

Now Work pROBLEM 39

EXAMPLE 4 Multiplying an Inequality by a Positive Number

Express as an inequality the result of multiplying each side of the inequality 3 <7
by2.
Solution Begin with
7

Multiplying each side by 2 yields the numbers 6 and 14, so we have

6<14

EXAMPLE 5 Multiplying an Inequality by a Negative Number

Express as an inequality the result of multiplying each side of the inequality 9>2
by-4.
Solution Begin with
9>2

Multiplying each side by -4 yields the numbers -36 and -8, so we have
-36-8

Note that the effect of multiplying both sides of 9> 2 by the negative number
In Words
Multiplying by a negative number -4 is that the direction of the inequality symbol is reversed.
everaeG the ineaualitv Examples 4 and 5 illustrate the following general multiplication properties for
inequalities:

Multiplication Properties for Inequalities

In Words
The multiplication properties For real numbers a, b, and c,
state that the sense, or direction,
of an inequality remains the Ifa <band ifc >0, then ac < bc.
samc if cach side is multiplied by Ifa<band ifc <0,then ac > bc. 3a)
a positive real number,whereas
t h e direction is reversed if each Ifa>band if c > 0, then ac > be.
side is multiplied by a negative Ifa> b and ifc <0,then ac < be. (36)
real number

EXAMPLE 6 Multiplication Property of Inequalities

(a) If2 <6,then (2x)< ;(6) orx < 3.

(b) I 12,then-3 -3(12) or x <-36.

-4x
(c) If-4x <-8,then or >2.
-4

(d) If-x >8, then (-1)(-x) < (-1)(8) or x < -8.

Now Work PROBL EM 45

 SECTION 15 Soking inequaities 123

Reciprocal Property for Inequalities

In Words
The reciprocal property states
that the recprocal of a positive Ifa >0, then>0 0. then a >0 (4a)
real number is positive and that
the reciprocal of a negstve real
umber s regstive Ifa < 0,then<0 If<0,then a <0 (4b)

3 Solve Inequalities
An inequality in one variable is a statement involving two expressions, at least one
containing the variable, separated by one of the inequality symbols <, 5,>, or z.
To solve an inequality means to find all values of the variable for which the state-
ment is true. These values are called solutions of the inequality.
For example, the following are all inequalities involving one variablex

r+5<8 2x-3 4 1 s3
>
As with equations, one method for solving an inequality is to replace it by a
series of equivalent inequalities until an inequality with an obvious solution, such as
r<3, is obtained We obtain equivalent inequalities by applying some ofthe same
properties as those used to find equivalent equations. The addition property and the
multiplication properties form the bases for the following procedures

Procedures That Leave the Inequality Symbol Unchanged

1. Simplify both sides of the inequality by combining like terms and
eliminating parentheses:
Replace x+2 +6> 2x +5(x +1)
by r+8> 7x +5
2 Add or subtract the same expression on both sides of the inequality:
Replace 3x-5 <4

by (3x 5)+5<4+5
3. divide both sides of the
Multiply
expression:
or inequality by the same posuive

Replace
4 16 by»
Procedures That Reverse the Sense or Direction
of the Inequality Symbol
L Interchange the two sides of the inequality:
Replace 3<x by r>3
2 Multiply divide both sides of the
or
inequality by the same negative
expression:

Replace -216 by

As the examples that follow illustrate, we solve inequalities using many of

the same steps that we would use to solve equations In writing the solution of an
124 CHAPTER 1 Equations and Inequaities

incquality, we may use either set notation or interval notation, whichever is more
convenient.

EXAMPLE 7 Solving an Inequality

Solve theinequality: 3 2r< 5
Graph the solution set.

Solution 3-2x < 5

3-2r -3 <5-3 Subtract 3 from both sides
-2x<2 Simpit
Divide both sides y -2. (The serse
ct the ineguaility symbo! is reversed.)

Figure 3
Simglihy
The solution set is {rlx > -1} or, using interval notation, all numbers in the interval
(-1, o). See Figure 3 for the graph.

EXAMPLE 8 Solving an Inequality

Solve theinequality: 4r +7
Graph the solution set.
2r -

Solution 4x+72 2r 3
4r + 7 - 7 2 2 r - 3 7 Subtract 7 from both sides.
4r 2xr - 10
Simpiity.
4r-2r 2 2r- 10- 2r Subtract 2x from both sides.
2x 2-10 Simpliy
Divide both sides by 2. (The direction
of the inequality symbol is unchanged)
x-5
Figure 4
Simpliny.

The solution set is {xlr = -5} or, using interval notation, all numbers in the interval
[-5, 0o). See Figure 4 for the graph.

Now Work PROBLEM 53

4 Solve Combined Inequalities

EXAMPLE 9 Solving a Combined Inequality
Solve theinequality:-5 <
Graph the solution set.
3x -

2 <1

Solution Recall that the inequality

-5 < 3x-2 <1

is equivalent to the two inequalities
-53x -2 and 3x 2 < 1
 SECTION 1.5 Solving Inequalities 125

We solve each of these inequalities separately.

-5<3x -2 3x 2 1
-5 +2 < 3x - 2 +2 Add 2 t o toth sides
3x 2+ 2<1+2
-3 3x Simplity. 3x<3

Divide both sides by 3.

-1< Simplity <1

The solution set of the original pair of inequalities consists of all x for which

-1x and x< 1

Figure 5
This may be written more compactly as {xl1<x<1}. In interval notation, the
-3 -2 solution is (-1,1). See Figure 5 for the graph.

Observe in the preceding process that the solution of the two inequalities required
exactly the same steps A shortcut to solving the original inequality algebraically is to
deal with the two inequalities at the same time, as follows:

-5< 3x-2 <1

-5 +2<3x - 2 + 2 < 1 + 2 Add 2 tocach part.

-3 <
Simplify
Divide each part by 3.

-1< <1 Simplity.

EXAMPLE 10 Solving a Combined Inequality

Solve the inequality: -1s:

Graph the solution set.

Solution

2(-1) s 2 29) Multipy esch part by 2 to remove the denominator

3 5r s 18
-2
2-3 s3 Sx - 3 18 - 3
Simpliy.
Subtract 3 from each part to isolate

the tem containing s.

-5x 15 Simplify.
15 Divide esch part by -5 (reverse the sense
of each inequslity 5ymbol).

1 - -3
Ssimplity.
Figure 6 -3 1 Reverse the order so that the numbers
get larger as you read from left to right.
-2 4

The solution set is {x-3 s r s 1}, that is, all x in the interval [-3, 1]. Figure 6
illustrates the graph.

Now Work pROsLEM 73

126 CHAPTER1 Equations and Inequalities

EXAMPLE 11 Using the Reciprocal Property to Solve an Inequality

Solve the inequality: (4x 1)>0
Graph the solution set.

Solution Since (4-1)= and since the Reciprocal Property states that when

>0thena> 0, we have
(4x - 1)>0
4x 1
4x-1 >0 Reciprocal Property
4x1

4
Figure 7

The solution set is xlx that is, all x in the interval Figure 7
illustrates the graph.

-Now Work PRoBLEM 83

EXAMPLE 12 Creating Equivalent Inequalities

If-1<x <4, find a and b so that a < 2x + 1 <b.

Solution The idea here is to change the middle part of the combined
inequality from x to
2x +1, using properties
of inequalities.
4
2x <8 Multiply each part by 2.
-1 < 2x +1<9 Add.1 to each part.
Now we see that a = - 1 andb = 9.

N o w Work PROBL EM 91

Application
EXAMPLE 13 Physics: Ohm's Law
In electricity, Ohm's law states that E =
IR, where E is the voltage (in volts), I is the
current (in amperes), and R is the resistance (in ohms). An air-conditioning unit is
rated at a resistance of 10 ohms. If the voltage varies from 110 to 120 volts, inclusive,
what corresponding range of current will the air conditioner draw?
Solution The voltage lies between 110 and 120, inclusive, so
110 E 120
110 IR s 120 Ohm's law. E = IR
110 I(10) s 120 R= 10

110 I(10)120 Divide each part by 10.

10 10 10
11 12 Simplify.
The air conditioner will draw between 11 and 12
amperes of current, inclusive.
 SECTION 15 Solving Inequalities 127

1.5 Assess Your Understanding

'Are You Prepared?" Answers are given at the end of these exercises Ifyou get a wrong answer, read the pages listed in red.
1. Graph the incquality: x z -2. (Pp. 17-26) 2. True or False -5 > -3 (pp. 17-26)

Concepts and Vocabulary

A If each side of an incquality is multiplied by a(n). In Problems 6-9, assune that a < bandc < 0.
number, then the sense of the inequality symbol is reversed. 6. Trueor False a + c <btc
4 A(n). denoted [a. b], consists of all real
numbersx for which a s x s b.
7. True orFalse a-c<b-c
8. True or False ac > bc
The state that the sense, or
direction, of an inequality remains the same if each side is 9. True or False
multiplied by a positive number, while the direction is
10. True or False The square of any real number is always
reversed if each side is multiplied by a negative number.
nonnegative.
Skill Building
In Problems 11-16, express the graph shown in blue using interval notation. Also express each as an inequality involving x.

u. 13. 0

14 15. 16.
1 2
ln Problems 17-22, an inequality is given. Write the inequality obtained by
(a) Adding 3 to each side of the given inequality.
(b) Subracting 5 from each side of the given inequality
(c) Mulnphying each side ofthe given inequaliy by 3.
(d) Multiplying each side of the given inequality by -2.
22. 1 2 x > 5
17. 3< 5 18 2>1 19. 4-3 20.-3-5 21. 2x + 1 <2

In Problems 23-30, write each inequality using interval notation, and illustrate each inequality using the real nunber line.

\23. 0 s x s4 24. -1< x <5 25. 4 r < 6 26. -2 < x <0

27. x 2 4 28. x 5 29. x < -4 30. x> 1

In Problems 31-38 write each interval as an inequaliry invobving x, and illustrate each inequality using the real number line

31. [2.5] 32. (1,2) 3. (-3,-2) 34. [0, 1)

35. [4,0o) 36. (-oo, 2] 37.(-0,-3) 38. (-8, oo)

In Problems 39-52, fill in the blank with the correct inequality symbol.
39. 40. Ifx < -4, then r + 4_ 0.
Ifx <5,then x -5

0.
41. If x > -4, then x+. 0. 42. If r >6, then x -6_ 0.

43 Ifr2 -4,then 3x -12 44. If r s 3, then 2x .

45. If x> 6, then -2x -12. 46. If x >-2, then -4x 8.

47. If x 5, then-4 -20. 48. If x s -4, then -3x 12.

49. If 2x >6, then x 3. 50. If 3r s 12, then x

51.
If-r s 3, then x, -6. 52.If-> 1,then _ -4.
 128 CHATER 1
Eqatiors dhazts
in Probiems 3 o e a t equaier. Ezpres yoarerswer uing sa notion or imeral nrann Graph the sokusion s
1 <5 54 I -

6 <i 55. 1 2z 3
S6 2 3 s5 57. 3 -7>2
5K 27 5>1
z3- 6. 2 x 2 z 3 I 61 -2/1 3 ) 3

62-3(1-:) < 12 63 4 3(1 z ) 3 64 8 42 - z) = -2

5 - 4)> z + 8
663a 4 2)
69. 0 2r - 6 < 4
79. 4 2 -2 10

7L-5 4 3z 2 72-3 3 2r 9 . -s o
74 0
s1<1-:<4 7601-<1
77. (z +
2) I -

3)> ( 1)r +1) 7 ( - 1(a + 1) > (z - 3 ) ( T 4 )

79. z4x 3 ) (2x 1?
-

s(95) (3r -1}

(47 +2) <0 84 (27 1)>0

87.0< (2-4) < 88.0< (3z + 6)* <

Applications and Extensions

in Probloms898 find a and b
. If -1 <1<1,.then a < x + 4
< b. 30-year-old female in 2005 could erpea to Eve at kzs 513
f - 3 <1<2then a <I -6< b. more years

91. If2 (a)To what age can an average 30-earold male ezpea io
<I<.thena <-4x <b. ive? Erpres your
answer 2 n q u a y
(b) To what age can an averag 30-yea-old femae epet
92 If-4 < I
<0, thena <ir <b. to ive?
Epress you answer as an inequ2lity
B f0<x<4. thena < 2r +3 < b. c) Who can expect to ive longer, a male or a female? By
how many years?
f - 3 <1<3,thena < 1 - 2r < b.
Source Social Security Adminisranion Pariod Lfe Table, 2006
s f-3<r <
0then a <
<
% I12 < z
<4, then a <,<b.
7. f6 < 3z < 12,then a < 7 < b.
JULY
% If0 < 2r <6,théna < f <b. JAN JAN 2051
2005 2066
99. Whal is the domain of the variable in the erpression
Vix + 6?
1what is the domain of the variable in the ezpression
Vs+2x? 104 General Chemistry For a certain ideal gs the vobume V
11 A young adut may be defined as someone older than 21, (in cubic centimeters) equals 20 times the temperature 7 (in
degrees Celsius). If the temperature varies from 80 to 120C
but kss than 30 years of age. Express this statement using
incusive, what is the acorresponding range of the voume f
inequalities the gas?
12 Midde- aged may be defined as being 40 or more and less 105. Real Estate A real estate agent agrees to sell an
than 60 Epress this statement using inequalities apart
ment complex according to the foilowing commissio
13 Life Expecancy The Social Security Administuation
schedule: SA5,000 pius 25% of the seling price in ezoess of
determined that an average 30-year-old male in 2005 could $900.000. Assuming that the complex will sell at som price
ezpect to ive at ieast 46.60 more years and an average
between $900,000 and $1.100.000 inctusive, over wtat range
 SECTION 1.5 Solving Inequalities 129
does the agent's commission vary? How does the commission 113.
vary as a percent of selling price?
Computing Grades In your Economics 101
class, you have
scores of68, 82, 87, and 89 on the first four of five tests. To
106. Sales Commission A used car salesperson is paid a get a grade of B, the avcrage of the first five test scores must
commission of $25 plus 40% of the selling price in excess of be greater than or equal to 80 and less than 90.
owner's cost. The owner claims that used cars (a) Solve an inequality to find the range of the score that
typically sell
for at least owner's cost plus $200 and at most owner's cost you need on the last test to get a B
plus $3000. For each sale made, over what range can the (b) What score do you need if the fifth test counts double?
salesperson expect the commission to vary?
107. Federal Tax What do I need to get a 8?
Withholding The percentage method of
withholding for federal income tax (2010) states that a
single person whose weekly wages, after subtracting
withholding allowances, are over $693, but not over $1302,
shall have $82.35 plus 25% of the excess over $693 withheld.
Over what range does the amount withheld
vary if the
weekly wages vary from $700 to $900 inclusive?
Source Employer's Tax Guide. Intermal Revenue Service, 2010.
108. Exercising Sue wants to lose weight. For healthy weight 114. Light" Foods For food products to be labeled "light," the
loss, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that the
recommends 200 to 300 minutes of exercise per week. For altered product must either contain one-third or fewer
the first six days of the week, Sue exercised 40, 45, 0,
50, 25, calories than the regular product or it must contain one-half
and 35 minutes. How long should Sue excrcise on the or less fat than the regular product. If a serving of Miracle
seventh day in order to stay within the ACSM Whip Light contains 20 calories and 1.5 grams of fat, then
guidelines? what must be true about either the number of calories or
109. Electricity Rates Commonwealth Edison Company's charge
for electricity in January 2010 was the grams of fat in a serving of regular Miracle Whip
9.444 per kilowatt-hour.
In addition, each monthly bill contains a customer
charge of 115. ArithmeticMean Ifa < b,showthat a< <b.The
$12.55. If last year's bills ranged from a low of $76.27 to a
a+ b
high of $248.55, over what range did usage vary (in number is called the arithmetic mean of a and b.
kilowatt-hours)?
Source Commonwealth Edison Co, Chicago, Itlinois 2010. 116. Refer to Problem 115. Show that the arithmetic mean of a
and b. is equidistant from a and b.
110. Water Bills The Village of Oak Lawn charges homeowners
$37.62 per quarter-year plus $3.86 per 1000 gallons for water 117. Geometric Mean If 0 <a < b, show that a< Vab < b.
The number Vab is called the geometric mean of a and b.
usage in excess of 10,000 gallons. In 2010 one homeowner's
guarterly bill ranged from a high of $122.54 to a low of 118 Refer to Problems 115 and 117. Show that the
geometric
$68.50. Over what range did water usage vary? mean of a and b is less than the arithmetic mean of a and b.
Source Village of Oak Lawn, Illinois January 2010. 119. Harmonic Mean For 0 a < b, let h be defined by
111. Markup of a New Car The markup over dealers cost of a
new car ranges from 12% to 18%. If the sticker price is
$18,000, over what range will the dealer's cost vary?
Show that a <h <b. The numberh is called the harmonic
112. 1Q Tests A standard intelligence test has an average score
mean of a and b.
of 100. According to statistical theory, of the people who take
the test, the 2_5% with the highest scores will have scores of 120. Refer to Problems 115,117, and 119. Show that the hamonic
more than 1.96o above the average, where o (sigma, a mean of a and b equals the geometric mean squared divided
number called the standard deviation) depends on the nature by the arithmetic mean.
of the test. Ifo = 12 for this test and there is (in principle) no 121. Another
upper limit to the score possible on the test, write the interval
Reciprocal Property Prove that if 0 <a <b,
of possible test scores of the people in the top 2.5%. then0
ExplainingConcepts:Discussion and Writing
122. Make up an inequality that has no solution. Make up one 125. How would you explain to a fellow student the underlying
that has exactly one solution. reason for the multiplication properties for inequalities
123. The inequality +1<-S has no real solution. (page 122) that is, the sense or direction of an inequality
Explain why. remains the same if each side is multiplied by a positive real
124. Do you prefer to use inequality notation or interval notation
number, whereas the drection is reversed if each side is
express the
to solutionto an inequality? Give your recasons
multiplied by a negative real number.
circumstances when you prefer one to
Are there particular
the other? Cite examples

Are You Prepared? Answers

2. False