New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

Inequalities in One Unknown

2
Consolidation Exercise Solution

Consolidation Exercise 2B (P.2.5) 3. Solving 6x + 14 ≤ 2:

1. (a) Graphical representation: 6x ≤ −12
x ≤ −2 ............................. (1)
Solving 3x − 17 > 1:
0 1 2
3x > 18
(b) Graphical representation: x > 6 ............................... (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x ≤ −2 or x > 6.
0 2 3
Graphical representation:
(c) Graphical representation:

−2 0 6
0 5

(d) Graphical representation: 4. Solving 1 − 3x ≥ 13:

−3x ≥ 12
x ≤ −4 ............................... (1)
0 Solving 3 ≤ 4x − 13:

(e) Graphical representation: −4x ≤ −16

x ≥ 4 ......................................... (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
0 13 ∴ The solutions are x ≤ −4 or x ≥ 4.

(f) Graphical representation: Graphical representation:

−4 0 4
0

2. Solving 3x < 0: 5. Solving 3x + 6 ≤ x:

x < 0 ....................................... (1) 2x ≤ −6

Solving 3 + 2x > 5: x ≤ −3 ............................... (1)

2x > 2 Solving 2x − 1 > 9:

x > 1 ................................. (2) 2x > 10

∵ x > 5 ................................. (2)

∵
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ or x > 1. x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴
The solutions are x < 0
The solutions are x ≤ −3 or x > 5.
Graphical representation:
Graphical representation:

0 1
−3 0 5

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

6. Solving 4x + 3 > 7: 9. Solving 2x − 7 < x + 2:

4x > 4 x < 9 ................................. (1)
x > 1 ................................. (1) Solving 3x − 4 ≤ 5x + 2:
Solving 3x − 5 ≥ 10 − 2x: −2x ≤ 6
5x ≥ 15 x ≥ −3 ............................... (2)
x ≥ 3 ................................. (2) ∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2). ∴ The solutions are all real numbers.
∴ The solutions are x > 1. Graphical representation:
Graphical representation:

0
0 1

10. Solving 5x − 4 < 17 − 2x:

7. Solving 9x + 5 < −3x − 10: 7x < 21
12x < −15 x < 3 ................................. (1)
5 Solving −x ≤ 3x − 16:
x < − .............................. (1)
4 −4x ≤ −16
Solving 8 − 7x ≤ −6:
x ≥ 4 ....................................... (2)
−7x ≤ −14
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).

∵
x ≥ 2 ................................. (2)
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x < 3 or x ≥ 4.
Graphical representation:
∴ 5
The solutions are x < − or x ≥ 2.
4
Graphical representation:
0 3 4

5 0 2 11. Solving −2 + 3x < 4x − 9:

−
4 −x < −7
x > 7 ............................... (1)
Solving 3x − 5 ≥ 7x + 7:
8. Solving 2x − 1 ≤ 7 − 2x:
−4x ≥ 12
4x ≤ 8
x ≤ −3 ............................... (2)
∵
x ≤ 2 ................................. (1)
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴
Solving −6 − 5x > 9:
The solutions are x > 7 or x ≤ −3.
−5x > 15
Graphical representation:
x < −3 ............................. (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x ≤ 2.
−3 0 7
Graphical representation:

0 2

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

12. Solving 2x > 12 + x: 15. Solving 9 − x < −3x + 1:

x > 12 ..................................... (1) 2x < −8
Solving 4 − 2x ≤ 5x − 3: x < −4 ................................. (1)
−7x ≤ −7 Solving 7 − 5x > −5 − 8x:
x ≥ 1 ................................. (2) 3x > −12
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2). x > −4 ............................... (2)
∴ The solutions are x ≥ 1. ∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
Graphical representation: ∴ The solutions are x < −4 or x > −4.
Graphical representation:

0 1
−4 0

13. Solving 11 − x < 7x − 5:

−8x < −16 16. (a) According to the question, we have
x > 2 ................................. (1) 6 − 3x < 0 or 8 − 2x < 0.
Solving 2x − 3 < 13 − 2x: Solving 6 − 3x < 0:
4x < 16 −3x < −6
x < 4 ................................. (2) x > 2 ......................... (1)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2). Solving 8 − 2x < 0:
∴ The solutions are all real numbers. −2x < −8
x > 4 ......................... (2)
∵
Graphical representation:
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The range of values of x is x > 2.
0 (b) According to the question, we have
8 − 2x > 10 or 8 − 2x < −14.

14. Solving 3x − 6 < 6 − x: Solving 8 − 2x > 10:

4x < 12 −2x > 2

x < 3 ................................. (1) x < −1 ....................... (3)

Solving 5 − x ≥ x − 1: Solving 8 − 2x < −14:

−2x ≥ −6 −2x < −22

x > 11 ....................... (4)
∵
x ≤ 3 ................................... (2)
∵ x must satisfy (3) or (4).
∴
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x ≤ 3. The range of values of x is
Graphical representation: x < −1 or x > 11.

0 3

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

17. (a) Age of Creamy after x years = x + 12 (c) According to the question, we have
(b) According to the question, we have x ≥ 1 or x ≥ −2,
x + 12 < 18 or x + 12 > 22. i.e. x ≥ −2.
Solving x + 12 < 18: Graphical representation:
x < 6 ......................... (1)
Solving x + 12 > 22:
−2 0
x > 10 ....................... (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ x<6 or x > 10 20. Solving 3(3 − x) − 1 > x:
∵ x≥0 9 − 3x − 1 > x
∴ The range of possible values of x is −4x > −8
0≤x<6 or x > 10. x < 2 ........................... (1)
Solving −2x < x − 9:
18. (a) Weight of the parcel = (3x + 0.3) kg −3x < −9
(b) According to the question, we have x > 3 ........................................ (2)
3x + 0.3 < 1.5 or 3x + 0.3 > 6. ∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
Solving 3x + 0.3 < 1.5: ∴ The solutions are x < 2 or x > 3.
3x < 1.2 Graphical representation:
x < 0.4 .................... (1)
Solving 3x + 0.3 > 6:
0 2 3
3x > 5.7
x > 1.9 .................... (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
21. Solving 4(3 − x) ≤ 4 − 3x:

∴ x < 0.4 or x > 1.9

12 − 4x ≤ 4 − 3x

∵ x>0
−x ≤ −8

∴ The range of values of x is

x ≥ 8 .............................. (1)
Solving 3(x − 5) < 7 − 4(x + 2):
0 < x < 0.4 or x > 1.9.
3x − 15 < 7 − 4x − 8
7x < 14
19. (a) According to the question, we have
x < 2 ............................... (2)
x>0 or x < −5.
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
Graphical representation:
∴ The solutions are x ≥ 8 or x < 2.
Graphical representation:

−5 0
(b) According to the question, we have
0 2 8
x ≤ 3 or x ≤ 4,
i.e. x ≤ 4.
Graphical representation:

0 4

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

9 − 5 x 1 − 10 x 1 7
22. Solving > : 24. Solving − x < − 2x:
2 3 2 2
3(9 − 5x) > 2(1 − 10x)
x < 3 ..................................... (1)
27 − 15x > 2 − 20x 1− x x 7
Solving < + :
5x > −25 2 3 4
x > −5 .............................. (1) 6(1 − x) < 4x + 21
Solving 8 − 3x ≤ 5x + 6: 6 − 6x < 4x + 21
−8x ≤ −2 −10x < 15
1 3
x ≥ ................................. (2) x > − ............................... (2)
4 2
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2). ∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x > −5. ∴ The solutions are all real numbers.
Graphical representation: Graphical representation:

−5 0 0

3− x 4 − 2x
23. Solving +1< : 25. Solving 2(3 + x) > 3 − x:
2 3
6 + 2x > 3 − x
3(3 − x) + 6 < 2(4 − 2x)
3x > −3
9 − 3x + 6 < 8 − 4x
x > −1 ............................ (1)
x < −7 .......................... (1)
5− x x
Solving −19 − x ≥ 2x + 8: Solving −5≥ :
3 2
−3x ≥ 27 2(5 − x) − 30 ≥ 3x
x ≤ −9 ............................. (2)
∵
10 − 2x − 30 ≥ 3x
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴
−5x ≥ 20
The solutions are x < −7.
x ≤ −4 .......................... (2)
Graphical representation: ∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x > −1 or x ≤ −4.
Graphical representation:
−7 0

−4 −1 0

© Oxford University Press 2015 2B-2.5 Consolidation Exercise Solution 5A02

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

x+2  3 − 2x 
26. Solving 3 − 2x ≤ : 28. Solving 3 + 1 > 5:
3  4 
9 − 6x ≤ x + 2 9 − 6x
+ 3> 5
−7x ≤ −7 4
x ≥ 1 ................................. (1) 9 − 6x + 12 > 20
x 2x − 1 −6x > −1
Solving − ≥ 1:
2 3 1
x < ..................... (1)
3x − 2(2x − 1) ≥ 6 6
1 − 2x
3x − 4x + 2 ≥ 6 Solving 2(1 − 5x) < :
2
−x ≥ 4
4(1 − 5x) < 1 − 2x
x ≤ −4 ........................ (2)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
4 − 20x < 1 − 2x

∴ The solutions are x ≥ 1 or x ≤ −4.

−18x < −3
1
x > ............................. (2)
Graphical representation: 6
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).

−4 0 1
∴ The solutions are x <
1
6
1
or x > .
6
Graphical representation:

 1 − 2x 
27. Solving 31 −  ≥ 1:
 2 
3 − 6x 0 1
3− ≥1
2 6
6 − 3 + 6x ≥ 2
6x ≥ −1  2− x
1 29. Solving 21 +  ≤ x:
x ≥ − ................... (1)  3 
6 4 − 2x
1 − x 1 − 2x 2+ ≤x
Solving + < 1: 3
2 3
6 + 4 − 2x ≤ 3x
3(1 − x) + 2(1 − 2x) < 6
−5x ≤ −10
3 − 3x + 2 − 4x < 6
x ≥ 2 ....................... (1)
−7x < 1
2(3 − x) x
1 Solving − ≥ 3:
x >−
.................. (2) 5 2
7
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
4(3 − x) − 5x ≥ 30
12 − 4x − 5x ≥ 30
∴ The solutions are x ≥ − .
1
6 −9x ≥ 18
x ≤ −2 ..................... (2)
∵
Graphical representation:
x must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ The solutions are x ≥ 2 or x ≤ −2.
1 0 Graphical representation:
−
6

−2 0 2

© Oxford University Press 2015 2B-2.6 Consolidation Exercise Solution 5A02

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

x +1 Alternative
30. (a) Solving < 4 − 3x:
2 When x = 7,
x + 1 < 8 − 6x x−3 7−3
= =2
7x < 7 2 2
x < 1 ........................... (1) x−2 7−2 5
= =
 x−9  5x 3 3 3
Solving 10 − 7 ≤ : 4(5 − x) = 4(5 − 7)
 8  6
5 x − 45 5x = −8
− 70 ≤
4 6 2(3 − x) = 2(3 − 7)
3(5x − 45) − 840 ≤ 10x = −8
15x − 135 − 840 ≤ 10x
5x ≤ 975
∵ 5
2 > and −8 ≤ −8
3
x ≤ 195 ......... (2) ∴ The value found in (b) also satisfies the
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2). compound inequality.
∴ The solutions are x ≤ 195. ∴ The claim is agreed.
(b) The maximum value of x which satisfies
the compound inequality in (a) is 195. 32. (a) Solving −9x < 27:
x > −3 ........................... (1)
x−3 x−2 1 x x 1
31. (a) Solving > : Solving − ≤ − :
2 3 3 9 27 3
3(x − 3) > 2(x − 2) 9 − 3x ≤ x − 9
3x − 9 > 2x − 4 −4x ≤ −18
x > 5 .......................... (1) 9
x ≥ ......................... (2)
2
Solving 4(5 − x) ≤ 2(3 − x):
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
20 − 4x ≤ 6 − 2x
−2x ≤ −14
∴ The solutions are x > −3.
6 − 2x  x
x ≥ 7 ....................... (2) (b) Solving ≥ 41 −  :
 3
∵
3
x must satisfy (1) or (2). 6 − 2x 4x
∴ The solutions are x > 5. 3
≥4−
3
(b) The smallest odd number which satisfies the 6 − 2x ≥ 12 − 4x
compound inequality in (a) is 7. 2x ≥ 6
(c) Consider the compound inequality x ≥ 3 ....................... (3)

x−3 x−2 From (a), the solutions of

> and 4(5 − x) ≤ 2(3 − x). 1 x x 1
2 3 −9x < 27 or − ≤ − are
∵ x must satisfy (1) and (2).
3 9 27 3

∴
x > −3 ............................................. (4)
x≥7 ∵ x must satisfy (3) and (4).
∴ The value found in (b) also satisfies the ∴ The solutions are x ≥ 3.
compound inequality.
∴ The claim is agreed.

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New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

33. (a) Rewrite the compound inequality as (b) Solving 0 < 4 − 4x:
5 − 4x > 3(2 − x) and 3(2 − x) ≥ −x. 4x < 4
Solving 5 − 4x > 3(2 − x): x < 1 ................................. (3)
5 − 4x > 6 − 3x From (a), the solutions of
−x > 1 4(3 − 2 x) ≥ 6 − 2 x

x < −1 ....................... (1)  x 3 2x are
1
 6 4 3
− > −
Solving 3(2 − x) ≥ −x:
1
6 − 3x ≥ −x − < x ≤ 1 ..................................... (4)
2
−2x ≥ −6 ∵ x must satisfy (3) or (4).
x ≤ 3 ....................... (2) ∴
∵
The solutions are x ≤ 1.
x must satisfy (1) and (2).
∴ The solutions are x < −1.
35. (a) AB =
80 − 2 x
cm
(b) Solving 4 − x ≥ 2: 2
−x ≥ −2 = (40 − x) cm
x ≤ 2 ........................... (3) (b) According to the question, we have
From (a), the solutions of 1
40 − x ≤ 10 or x < (40 − x) .
5 − 4x > 3(2 − x) ≥ −x are 3
x < −1 ............................................. (4) Solving 40 − x ≤ 10:
∵ x must satisfy (3) or (4). −x ≤ −30
∴ The solutions are x ≤ 2. x ≥ 30 ........................ (1)
1
Solving x < (40 − x) :
3
34. (a) Solving 4(3 − 2x) ≥ 6 − 2x:
3x < 40 − x
12 − 8x ≥ 6 − 2x
4x < 40
−6x ≥ −6
x < 10 ................................ (2)
x ≤ 1 ..................... (1)
∵ x must satisfy (1) or (2).
x 3 2x
Solving 1 − > −
6 4 3
: ∴ x ≥ 30 or x < 10
12 − 2x > 9 − 8x ∵ x > 0 and 40 − x > 0
6x > −3 i.e. x > 0 and x < 40
1
x > − ....................... (2)
∴ The range of values of x is
2
∵
0 < x < 10 or 30 ≤ x < 40.
x must satisfy (1) and (2).

∴ The solutions are −

1
2
< x ≤ 1.

© Oxford University Press 2015 2B-2.8 Consolidation Exercise Solution 5A02

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

36. According to the question, we have 38. (a) Amount that Candy has = $(200 − x)
180(n − 2) < 1 080 or n ≤ 6. (b) According to the question, we have
Solving 180(n − 2) < 1 080: x − 30 > 130 or (200 − x) − 30 > 130.
180n − 360 < 1 080 Solving x − 30 > 130:
180n < 1 440 x > 160 ..................... (1)
n < 8 .......................... (1) Solving (200 − x) − 30 > 130:
n ≤ 6 ...................................................... (2)
∵
200 − x − 30 > 130
n must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ n<8
−x > −40

∵ A convex polygon must have at least 3 sides.

∵
x < 40 .......... (2)

∴ n≥3
∴
x must satisfy (1) or (2).

∴ 3≤n<8
∵
x > 160 or x < 40

∴ The possible values of n are 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

∴
Each of them spends $30 on snacks.
x ≥ 30 and 200 − x ≥ 30
i.e. x ≥ 30 and x ≤ 170
37. (a) Daisy’s weight = (2x − 20) kg
(b) (i) According to the question, we have
∴ The range of values of x is
30 ≤ x < 40 or 160 < x ≤ 170.
2x − 20 < 40 or 2x − 20 > 90.
Solving 2x − 20 < 40:
39. Average speed of the car from 8:00 to 8:20
2x < 60
32
x < 30 .............. (1) = km/min
20
Solving 2x − 20 > 90: = 1.6 km/min
2x > 110 Average speed of the car from 9:00 to 9:40
x > 55 .............. (2) 48
∵
= km/min
x must satisfy (1) or (2). 40
∴ x < 30 or x > 55 = 1.2 km/min

∵ x > 0 and 2x − 20 > 0

According to the question, we have

x > 0 and x > 10 1.6t < 24 or 1.2(100 − t) < 24

Solving 1.6t < 24:
i.e. x > 10
∴ The range of values of x is t < 15 ................................... (1)
Solving 1.2(100 − t) < 24:
10 < x < 30 or x > 55.
100 − t < 20
(ii) According to the question, we have
t > 80 ...................... (2)
∵
30 < x < 65 ............................. (3)
t must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴
From (b)(i), the range of values of x is
t < 15 or t > 80
∵
10 < x < 30 or x > 55 ....... (4)
∵ 0 ≤ t ≤ 100
∴
x must satisfy (3) and (4).
∴ 55 < x < 65
The range of values of t is

∵ Jacky does not weigh below 40 kg 0 ≤ t < 15 or 80 < t ≤ 100.

or above 90 kg.
∴ The nutritionist will not recommend
Jacky to follow a diet plan.

© Oxford University Press 2015 2B-2.9 Consolidation Exercise Solution 5A02

New Century Mathematics (Second Edition) 5A

40. According to the question, we have

5 − 3k 7k − 4
− > 2 or ≤ 5.
2 2
5 − 3k
Solving − > 2:
2
−5 + 3k > 4
3k > 9
k > 3 ............................. (1)
7k − 4
Solving ≤ 5:
2
7k − 4 ≤ 10
7k ≤ 14
k ≤ 2 ............................... (2)
∵ k must satisfy (1) or (2).
∴ k>3 or k≤2
∵ Only the integer 3 cannot satisfy the
compound inequality.
∴ 1 integral value of k cannot satisfy the
conditions.

© Oxford University Press 2015 2B-2.10 Consolidation Exercise Solution 5A02