Chapter 8: Inequality

F.2 Mathematics Enrichment

Page 1
Inequality

1. Inequality Signs








2. Operations with Inequalities










1. If 3 > 2, then 3 + 4 ___ 2 + 4
If 1 > 3, then 1 + 5 ___ 3 + 5
If 7 > 5, then 7 + 1 ___ 5 + 1

2. If 3 > 2, then 3 4 ___ 2 4
If 1 > 3, then 1 5 ___ 3 5
If 7 > 5, then 7 1 ___ 5 1

3. If 3 > 2, then 3 x 4 ___ 2 x 4
If 1 > 3, then 1 x 5 ___ 3 x 5
If 7 > 5, then 7 x 1 ___ 5 x 1


Inequality is a study of the relative size of
two quantities, one on the L.H.S and the other
R.H.S.
1. > greater than e.g. x > 2 so x can be 3, 4, 5,
2. < less than e.g. x < 3 so x can be 2, 1, 0,
3. greater than or equal to e.g. x 2 so x can be 2, 3, 4,
4. less than or equal to e.g. x 3 so x can be 3, 2, 1,
5. not equal to e.g. x 3 so x can be , 1, 2, 4, 5,
If x > y and k is a constant, then
1. Addition x + k > y + k
2. Subtraction x k > y k
3. Multiplication k y k x > when k > 0
k y k x < when k < 0
4. Division k y k x > when k > 0
k y k x < when k < 0
Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 2
If 3 > 2, then 3 x (4) ___ 2 x (4)
If 1 > 3, then 1 x (5) ___ 3 x (5)
If 7 > 5, then 7 x (1) ___ 5 x (1)

4. If 6 > 4, then 6 2 ___ 4 2
If 5 > 20, then 5 5 ___ 20 5
If 21 > 15, then 21 3 ___ 15 3

If 6 > 4, then 6 (2) ___ 4 (2)
If 5 > 20, then 5 (5) ___ 20 (5)
If 21 > 15, then 21 (3) ___ 15 (3)

3. Solving Inequalities













Like solving equations, solving inequalities involves finding range of values
of x such that L.H.S and R.H.S. obey the inequality signs.

In practice, we do operations above so that there is only one x on the L.H.S.
During the process, the inequality sign may be changed depending on the
operations adopted.

e.g. Solve 3 2 > + x
3 2 > + x
2 3 2 2 > + x
1 > x
Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 3
Solve the following Inequalities
e.g.1 34 2 > x .
Soln: 34 2 > x





e.g.2 7 > x
Soln: 7 > x





e.g.3 27 3 < x
Soln: 27 3 < x





e.g.4 12
5
6
> x
Soln: 12
5
6
> x









Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 4
e.g.5 9 7 4 s + x
Soln: 9 7 4 s + x





e.g.6 16 2 8 > x
Soln: 16 2 8 > x





Find the greatest/ least integral values of the
following unknowns.
e.g.7 16 ) 10 60 (
5
4
s x
Soln: 16 ) 10 60 (
5
4
s x





e.g.8 10 5 19 8 > y y
Soln: 10 5 19 8 > y y








Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 5
e.g.9
3
1 3
7
9 6

+
<
+ b b

Soln:
3
1 3
7
9 6

+
<
+ b b






e.g.10 ) 5 2 ( 3 4 ) 8 ( 4 + > + m m
Soln: ) 5 2 ( 3 4 ) 8 ( 4 + > + m m





Solve the following problems
e.g.11 If p > q, suggest sets of values of p and q such that p
2
< q
2
.
Soln: Set 1 : p = ___ and q = ___
Set 2 : p = ___ and q = ___
Set 3 : p = ___ and q = ___

** For the case of taking squares on both sides, when do we need to change the inequality
signs?

e.g.12 If p > q, suggest sets of values of p and q such that
q p
1 1
> .
Soln: Set 1 : p = ___ and q = ___
Set 2 : p = ___ and q = ___
Set 3 : p = ___ and q = ___

** For the case of taking reciprocal on both sides, when do we need to remain the inequality
signs unchanged?





e.g.13 If a < b , show that
9
7 6
9
7 6 +
<
+ b a
.
Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 6
Soln: a < b





e.g.14 If p > q, show that
3
4 1 p
>
3
4 1 q
.
Soln: p > q





e.g.15 Find the least positive integral value of n such that 05 . 0 3 < + n n .
Soln:










Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 7
Homework





1. Solve the inequality
6
11
13 ) 5 2 (
2
3
s +
y
y








2. Solve the inequality ) 5 2 ( 3 4 ) 8 ( 4 > m m and find the least integral value of m.








3. Find all values of x if x is an integer and it satisfies both of the inequalities
(a)

<
+ s
x x
x x
4 32 ) 3 ( 8
0 2 3 1 10
(b)

>
+ s
x x
x x
4 32 ) 3 ( 8
0 2 3 1 0 1











Answer the following
questions.
Chapter 8: Inequality
F.2 Mathematics Enrichment
Page 8
4. The sum of two consecutive even numbers is less than 12. Find the greatest values of
the two numbers.










5. Find the least positive integral value of n such that 05 . 0 2 < n n .