1.8. OTHER TYPES OF INEQUALITIES

• Solve polynomial inequalities.

• Solve rational inequalities.

• Use inequalities to model and solve real-life

problems.

What You Should Learn

Polynomial Inequalities

To solve a polynomial inequality such as x2 – 2x – 3 0,

you can use the fact that a polynomial can change signs

only at its zeros (the x-values that make the polynomial

equal to zero).

Between two consecutive zeros, a polynomial must be

entirely positive or entirely negative. This means that when

the real zeros of a polynomial are put in order, they divide

the real number line into intervals in which the polynomial

has no sign changes.

These zeros are the key numbers of the inequality, and

the resulting intervals are the test intervals for the

inequality.

Example

The quadratic polynomial factors as

x2 – 2x – 3 = (x + 1)(x – 3)

and has two zeros, x = –1 and x = 3.

These zeros divide the real number line into three test

intervals:

( , –1), (–1, 3), and (3, ).

Three test intervals for x2 – 2x – 3

Polynomial Inequalities

So, to solve the inequality x2 – 2x – 3 0, you need only

test one value from each of these test intervals to

determine whether the value satisfies the original

inequality. If so, you can conclude that the interval is a

solution of the inequality.

You can use the same basic approach to determine the

test intervals for any polynomial.

Example

Solve x2 – x – 6 0.

Solution

By factoring the polynomial as

x2 – x – 6 = (x + 2)(x – 3 )

you can see that the key numbers are x = –2 and x = 3.

So, the polynomial’s test intervals are

( , –2), (–2, 3), and (3, ). Test intervals

Solution In each test interval, choose a representative x-value and

evaluate the polynomial. You may choose any number you

want from each test interval.

Test Interval x-Value Polynomial Value Conclusion

( , –2) x = –3 (–3)2 – (–3) – 6 = 6 Positive

(–2, 3) x = 0 (0)2 – (0) – 6 = – 6 Negative

(3, ) x = 4 (4)2 – (4) – 6 = 6 Positive

From this you can conclude that the inequality is satisfied

for all x-values in (–2, 3).

Solution

This implies that the solution of the inequality x2 – x – 6 0

is the interval (–2, 3).

Note that the original inequality contains a “less than”

symbol. This means that the solution set does not contain

the endpoints of the test interval (–2, 3).

Remark

As with linear inequalities, you can check the

reasonableness of a solution by substituting x-values into

the original inequality.

For instance, to check the solution found in the previous

Example, try substituting several x-values from the interval

(–2, 3) into the inequality

x2 – x – 6 0.

Regardless of which x-values you choose, the inequality

should be satisfied.

Rational Inequalities

The concepts of key numbers and test intervals can be

extended to rational inequalities.

To do this, use the fact that the value of a rational

expression can change sign only at its zeros (the x-values

for which its numerator is zero) and its undefined values

(the x-values for which its denominator is zero).

These two types of numbers make up the key numbers of a

rational inequality. When solving a rational inequality, begin

by writing the inequality in general form with the rational

expression on the left and zero on the right.

Example

Solve

Solution

Write original inequality.

Write in general form.

Find the LCD and subtract

fractions.

Simplify.

Key Numbers: x = 5, x = 8 Zeros and undefined values

of rational expression

Solution

Key Numbers: x = 5, x = 8

Test Intervals: ( , 5), (5, 8), (8, ).

Test: Is

After testing these intervals, you can see that the inequality

is satisfied on the open intervals ( , 5), and (8, ).

Zeros and undefined values

of rational expression

Solution

Moreover, because when x = 8, you can

conclude that the solution set consists of all real numbers

in the intervals ( , 5) [8, ).(Be sure to use a closed

interval to indicate that x can equal 8.)