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Wavy Line Method Summary

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Wavy Line Method Summary

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gaup2020
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Wavy – Line Method - 1

1 The breakpoints of an inequality are the points where the expression in the inequality becomes zero.

For the inequality, x2 - 6x + 8 < 0, we can find the breakpoints as follows.


• x2 - 6x + 8 < 0 can be factored as (x-4)(x-2) <0.
• Points at which the above expression becomes zero: x = 4 and x = 2.
Thus, breakpoints are x = 2, and x = 4.

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Wavy – Line Method - 2

2 The wavy line should be drawn starting from the top right of the rightmost breakpoint and then alternating the region at each breakpoint.

If there are four breakpoints, -6, -4, 2, and 5, the wavy line is the one shown in the figure.
• To the right of 5, the wavy line starts from the top.
At 5, the wavy line intersects the number line.
• In the region to the immediate left of 2, the wavy line alternates and becomes negative.
• At 2, the wavy line intersects the number line.
• In the region to the immediate left of 2, the wavy line alternates and becomes positive again.
• At -4, the wavy line intersects the number line.
• In the region to the immediate left of -4, the way line alternates and becomes negative again.
• At -6, the wavy line intersects the number line.
• In the region to the immediate left of -6, the wavy line alternates and becomes positive again.

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Wavy – Line Method - 3

3 The solutions of the quadratic inequalities can be found by the wavy line method using the break points.

The steps to be followed are:


• Convert the inequality to the form: quadratic expression inequality sign 0.
• Factor the quadratic expression such that the coefficient of x is positive.
• Find the breakpoints.
• Mark all the breakpoints on the number line.
• Draw a wavy line starting from the top right side as explained.
• Find the range based on the sign of the inequality as explained.

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Wavy – Line Method - 4

4 The wavy line method stems from the conventional method and is related to it.

• The points of interest obtained through the conventional method are the same as the breakpoints obtained through the wavy line method.
• Instead of checking the individual cases for each factor, the signs of the factors and their product are checked.
o If the product of factors is positive, the region above the number line is considered.
o If the product of factors is negative, the region below the number line is considered.
o In the case of non-strict inequality, the breakpoints are also included.

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