12
CHAPTER 1 PRECALCULUS REVIEW

1.3 REVIEW OF INEQUALITIES

All our work with inequalities is based on the order properties of the real numbers given
in Section 1.2. In this section we work with the type of inequalities that abound in
calculus, namely inequalities that involve a variable.
To solve an equation in x is to find the set of numbers x for which the equation
holds. To solve an inequality in x is to find the set of numbers x for which the inequality
holds.
The way we solve an inequality is very similar to the way we solve an equation,
but there is one important difference. We can maintain an inequality by adding the
same number to both sides, or by subtracting the same number from both sides, or by
multiplying or dividing both sides by the same positive number. But if we multiply or
divide by a negative number, then the inequality is reversed:

x−2<4 gives x < 6, x + 2 < 4 gives x < 2,

1
2
x < 4 gives x < 8,

but − 12 x < 4 gives x > −8.

↑ note, the inequality is reversed

Example 1 Solve the inequality

−3(4 − x) ≤ 12.

SOLUTION Multiplying both sides of the inequality by − 13 , we have

4 − x ≥ −4. (the inequality has been reversed)

Subtracting 4, gives
−x ≥ −8.

To isolate x, we multiply by −1. This gives

x ≤ 8. (the inequality has been reversed again)

The solution set is the interval (−∞, 8]. 

8

There are generally several ways to solve a given inequality. For example, the last
inequality could have been solved this way:

−3(4 − x) ≤ 12,
−12 + 3x ≤ 12,
3x ≤ 24, (we added 12)

x ≤ 8. (we divided by 3)

An approach to solving a quadratic inequality is to factor the quadratic, if possible.

Example 2 Solve the inequality

x2 − 4x + 3 > 0.

SOLUTION Factoring the quadratic, we obtain

 1.3 REVIEW OF INEQUALITIES
13

(x − 1)(x − 3) > 0.
The product (x − 1)(x − 3) is zero at 1 and 3. Mark these points on a number line
(Figure 1.3.1). The points 1 and 3 separate three intervals:
(−∞, 1), (1, 3), (3, ∞).

++++++++++++0– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –0++++++++++++

1 3

Figure 1.3.1

On each of these intervals the product (x − 1)(x − 3) keeps a constant sign:

on (−∞, 1) [to the left of 1] sign of (x − 1)(x − 3) = (−)(−) = +;

on (1, 3) [between 1 and 3] sign of (x − 1)(x − 3) = (+)(−) = −;
on (3, ∞) [to the right of 3] sign of (x − 1)(x − 3) = (+)(+) = +.

The product (x − 1)(x − 3) is positive on the open intervals (−∞, 1) and (3, ∞). The
solution set is the union (−∞, 1) ∪ (3, ∞). 
1 3

In contrast to Example 2, consider the quadratic inequality

x2 − 2x + 5 ≤ 0.
Since b2 − 4ac = 4 − 4(1)(5) = −16 < 0, the quadratic x2 − 2x + 5 cannot be factored.
However, if we complete the square, we get
x2 − 2x + 5 = x2 − 2x + 1 + 4 = (x − 1)2 + 4 ≥ 4 > 0 for all x.
Thus, we can conclude that the given inequality has no solutions. On the other hand,
note that every real number satisfies the inequality
x2 − 2x + 5 > 0.
Returning to the approach illustrated in Example 2, consider an expression of the
form

(x − a1 )k1 (x − a2 )k2 · · · (x − an )kn

where k1 , k2 , . . . , kn are positive integers and a1 < a2 < · · · < an . Such an expression
is zero at a1 , a2 , . . . , an . It is positive on those intervals where an even number of factors
are negative, and it is negative on those intervals where an odd number of factors are
negative.
As an example, take the expression
(x + 2)(x − 1)(x − 3).
This product is zero at −2, 1, 3. It is
negative on (−∞, −2), (3 negative terms)

positive on (−2, 1), (2 negative terms)

negative on (1, 3), (1 negative term)

positive on (3, ∞). (0 negative terms)

14
CHAPTER 1 PRECALCULUS REVIEW

See Figure 1.3.2

– – – – – 0+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +0 – – – – – – – – – – – – 0+ + + +

–2 1 3

Figure 1.3.2

Example 3 Solve the inequality

(x + 3)5 (x − 1)(x − 4)2 < 0.

SOLUTION We view (x + 3)5 (x − 1)(x − 4)2 as the product of three factors: (x + 3)5 ,
(x − 1), (x − 4)2 . The product is zero at −3, 1, and 4. These points separate the
intervals

(−∞, −3), (−3, 1), (1, 4), (4, ∞).

On each of these intervals the product keeps a constant sign. It is

positive on (−∞, −3), (2 negative factors)

negative on (−3, 1), (1 negative factor)
positive on (1, 4), (0 negative factors)
positive on (4, ∞). (0 negative factors)

See Figure 1.3.3.

++++++++0– – – – – – – – – – – – –0+++++++++0++++++++

–3 1 4

Figure 1.3.3

The solution set is the open interval (−3, 1). 

–3 1

This approach to solving inequalities will be justified in Section 2.6

Inequalities and Absolute Value

Now we take up inequalities that involve absolute values. With an eye toward develop-
ing the concept of limits in Chapter 2 we introduce two Greek letters: δ (delta) and 
(epsilon).
Recall that for each real number a


a if a ≥ 0, √
(1.3.1) |a| = |a| = max{a, −a}, |a| = a2
−a, if a < 0,

We begin with the inequality

|x| < δ,
 1.3 REVIEW OF INEQUALITIES
15

where δ is some positive number. To say that |x| < δ is to say that x lies within δ units
of 0 or, equivalently, that x lies between −δ and δ. Thus

δ δ

(1.3.2) |x| < δ iff − δ < x < δ.

–δ 0 δ
|x|<δ

To say that |x − c| < δ is to say that x lies within δ units of c or, equivalently, that
x lies between c −δ and c + δ. Thus

δ δ
(1.3.3) |x − c| < δ iff c − δ < x < c + δ.
c–δ c c+δ
| x−c | < δ

Somewhat more delicate is the inequality

0 < |x − c| < δ.

Here we have |x − c| < δ with the additional requirement that x

= c. Consequently

(1.3.4) 0 < |x − c| < δ iff c−δ <x <c or c < x < c + δ.

Thus, for example,

|x| < 1
2
iff − 1
2
< x < 12 ; Solution: (− 12 , 12 ).

|x − 5| < 1 iff 4 < x < 6; Solution: (4,6).

0 < |x − 5| < 1 iff 4<x<5 or 5 < x < 6; Solution: (4, 5) ∪ (5, 6).

Example 4 Solve the inequality

|x + 2| < 3.

SOLUTION The inequality |x + 2| < 3 holds iff

|x − (−2)| < 3 iff − 2 − 3 < x < −2 + 3 iff − 5 < x < 1.

3 3
The solution set is the open interval (−5, 1). 
–5 –2 1

Example 5 Solve the inequality

|3x − 4| < 2.
16
CHAPTER 1 PRECALCULUS REVIEW

SOLUTION Since
      
|3x − 4| = 3 x − 43  = |3| x − 43  = 3 x − 43  ,

the inequality can be rewritten

 
3 x − 43  < 2.
 
This gives x − 43  < 23 . Therefore

4
3
− 2
3
<x< 4
3
+ 23 ,
2
3
< x < 2.

The solution set is the open interval ( 23 , 2).

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION The inequality

|3x − 4| < 2

is equivalent to

−2 < 3x − 4 < 2

by (1.3.2). Therefore

2 < 3x < 6 (add 4 to both inequalities)

and 2
3
<x<2 (divide through by 3)

as before. 

Let  > 0. If you think of |a| as the distance between a and 0, then

(1.3.5) |a| >  iff a> or a < −.

–
0

| a| >

Example 6 Solve the inequality

|2x + 3| > 5.

SOLUTION In general

|a| >  iff a > , or a < −.

So here
2x + 3 > 5 or 2x + 3 < −5.
 1.3 REVIEW OF INEQUALITIES
17

The first possibility gives 2x > 2 and thus

x > 1. 1

The second possibility gives 2x < −8 and thus

x < −4 –4

The total solution is therefore the union

(−∞, −4) ∪ (1, ∞). 

–4 1

We come now to one of the fundamental inequalities of calculus: for all real numbers
a and b,

(1.3.6) |a + b| ≤ |a| + |b|.

This is called the triangle inequality in analogy with the geometric maxim “in a triangle
the length of each side is less than or equal to the sum of the lengths of the other two
sides.”
√
PROOF OF THE TRIANGLE INEQUALITY The key here is to think of |x| as x2 . Note first
that

(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 ≤ |a|2 + 2|a||b| + |b|2 = (|a| + |b|)2 .

Comparing the extremes of the inequality and taking square roots, we have

(a + b)2 ≤ |a| + |b|. (Exercise 51)

The result follows from observing that

(a + b)2 = |a + b|. 

Here is a variant of the triangle inequality that also comes up in calculus: for all
real numbers a and b,

 
(1.3.7) |a| − |b| ≤ |a − b|.

The proof is left to you as an exercise.

18
CHAPTER 1 PRECALCULUS REVIEW

EXERCISES 1.3

Solve the inequality and graph the solution set on a number line. 49. Let a and b have the same sign. If a < b, show that
(1/b) < (1/a).
1. 2 + 3x < 5. 2. 1
2
(2x+ 3) < 6.
50. Let a and b be nonnegative numbers. Show that if
3. 16x + 64 ≤ 16. 4. 3x + 5 > 14 (x − 2).
5. 1
(1 + x) < 13 (1 − x). 6. 3x − 2 ≤ 1 + 6x.
2 a 2 ≤ b2 , then a ≤ b.
7. x − 1 < 0.
2
8. x2 + 9x + 20 < 0.
9. x2 − x − 6 ≥ 0. 10. x2 − 4x − 5 > 0.
51. Let a and b be nonnegative numbers. Show that if
11. 2x2 + x − 1 ≤ 0. 12. 3x2 + 4x − 4 ≥ 0.
√ √
13. x(x − 1)(x − 2) > 0. 14. x(2x − 1)(3x − 5) ≤ 0. a ≤ b, then a ≤ b.
15. x3 − 2x2 + x ≥ 0. 16. x2 − 4x + 4 ≤ 0.
17. x3 (x − 2)(x + 3)2 < 0. 18. x2 (x − 3)(x + 4)2 > 0. 52. Prove that for all real numbers a and b
19. x2 (x − 2)(x + 6) > 0. 20. 7x(x − 4)2 < 0.
Solve the inequality and express the solution set in terms of |a − b| ≤ |a| + |b|.
intervals.
21. |x| < 2. 22. |x| ≥ 1. 53. Prove that for all real numbers a and b
23. |x| > 3. 24. |x − 1| < 1.  
|a| − |b| ≤ |a − b|.
25. |x − 2| < 12 . 26. |x − 12 | < 2.
27. 0 < |x| < 1. 28. 0 < |x| < 12 .  2
HINT: Calculate |a| − |b| and use the fact that
29. 0 < |x − 2| < 12 . 30. 0 < |x − 12 | < 2. ab ≤ |a||b|.
31. 0 < |x − 3| < 8. 32. |3x − 5| < 3.
54. Show that |a + b| = |a| + |b| iff ab ≥ 0.
33. |2x + 1| < 14 . 34. |5x − 3| < 12 .
55. Show that if
35. |2x + 5| > 3. 36. |3x + 1| > 5.
a b
Find an inequality of the form |x − c| < δ the solution of which 0 ≤ a ≤ b, then ≤ .
is the given open interval. 1+a 1+b

37. (−3, 3). 38. (−2, 2). 56. Let a, b, c be nonnegative numbers. Show that if
39. (−3, 7). 40. (0, 4).
41. (−7, 3). 42. (−4, 0). a b c
a ≤ b + c, then ≤ + .
1+a 1+b 1+c
In Exercises 43–46, determine all values of A > 0 for which the
statement is true.
57. Prove that if a and b are real numbers and a < b, then
43. If |x − 2| < 1, then |2x − 4| < A. a < (a + b)/2 < b. The number (a + b)/2 is called the
44. If |x − 2| < A, then |2x − 4| < 3. arithmetic mean of a and b. How are the three numbers
a, (a + b)/2, b, related on the number line ?
45. If |x + 1| < A, then |3x + 3| < 4.
58. Let a and b be nonnegative numbers with a ≤ b. Prove
46. If |x + 1| < 2, then |3x + 3| < A.
√ √ that
47. Arrange the following in order :1, x, x, 1/x, 1/ x, given
that: (a) x > 1, (b) 0 < x < 1. √ a+b
a≤ ab ≤ ≤ b.
48. Compare 2


√
x x+1 The number ab is called the geometric mean of a
and and b.
x+1 x+2

given that x > 0.

1.4 COORDINATE PLANE; ANALYTIC GEOMETRY

Rectangular Coordinates
The correspondence that we have discussed between real numbers and points on
a number line can be used to construct a coordinate system for the plane. In the