How do you solve the inequality (x-1)(x-4) <2(x-4)(x1)(x4)<2(x4)?

2 Answers
Feb 28, 2016

You must first distribute.

Explanation:

x^2 - x - 4x + 4 < 2x - 8x2x4x+4<2x8

You must put everything to one side of the inequality so that the other side is 0. You must then solve like a regular quadratic equation.

x^2 - 7x + 12 = 0x27x+12=0

(x - 4)(x - 3) = 0(x4)(x3)=0

x = 4, x = 3x=4,x=3

Now you must select test points, one smaller than the smaller value of x, one between the two values of x, and one larger than the largest value of x.

Let's say our test points are 2, 3.5 and 5.

Plug them into the original inequality.

(2)^2 - 7(2) + 12 < 0(2)27(2)+12<0

2 < 02<0

This doesn't not satisfy the inequality

(3.5)^2 - 7(3.5) + 12 < 0(3.5)27(3.5)+12<0

-0.25 < 00.25<0

This satisfies our inequality, so the solution is 3 < x < 43<x<4

Practice exercises

Solve the following inequality.

a). (2x + 3)(4x - 1) < (x - 3)(3x + 5)(2x+3)(4x1)<(x3)(3x+5)

b). (2x + 5)/(2x) > (3x - 2)/(6x - 11)2x+52x>3x26x11

Feb 28, 2016

33<<x<4x<4

Explanation:

11. Expand the left side of the inequality.

(color(red)xcolor(blue)(-1))(color(orange)(x)color(green)(-4))<2(x-4)(x1)(x4)<2(x4)

(color(red)x)(color(orange)x)color(red)(+x)(color(green)(-4))color(blue)(-1)(color(orange)x)color(blue)(-1)(color(green)(-4))<2(x-4)(x)(x)+x(4)1(x)1(4)<2(x4)

x^2-4x-x+4<2(x-4)x24xx+4<2(x4)

x^2-5x+4<2(x-4)x25x+4<2(x4)

22. Expand the right side of the inequality.

x^2-5x+4<2x-8x25x+4<2x8

33. Bring all the terms to one side. In this case, the terms will be brought to the left side. Note that in inequalities, adding and subtracting is the same as in equalities.

x^2-7x+12<0x27x+12<0

44. Factor the quadratic inequality. Note that in inequalities, factoring is the same as in equalities.

(x-4)(x-3)<0(x4)(x3)<0

55. In order for the two factors multiplied together to be less than 00, one of the factors must be negative. In other words, a positive number multiplied by a negative number will always produce a negative number less than 00. Thus the possible solutions are:

Set 11: color(white)(XXX)(x-4)>0color(white)(XXXXXX)(x-3)<0XXX(x4)>0XXXXXX(x3)<0

color(white)(XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX)color(purple)("or")XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXor

Set 22: color(white)(XXX)(x-4)<0color(white)(XXXXXX)(x-3)>0XXX(x4)<0XXXXXX(x3)>0

66. Solve for xx in the possible solution sets.

Set 11: color(white)(XXX)x>4color(white)(XXXXXX)x<3XXXx>4XXXXXXx<3

color(white)(XXXXXXXXXXX)color(purple)("or")XXXXXXXXXXXor

Set 22: color(white)(XXX)x<4color(white)(XXXXXX)x>3XXXx<4XXXXXXx>3

77. For set 11, if you substitute color(brown)xx as any number, you will notice that no number satisfies the conditions. For example, if you used the number, color(brown)22, color(brown)22 cannot be greater than 44 and less than 33 at the same time. Thus, set 11 is not a solution of the inequality.

Set 11: color(white)(XXX)color(brown)2>4color(white)(XXXXXXX)color(brown)2<3XXX2>4XXXXXXX2<3

88. For set 22, if you substitute color(turquoise)xx as color(turquoise)(3.5)3.5, you will notice that this number does satisfy the conditions. Thus, set 22 is a solution of the inequality.

Set 22: color(white)(XXX)color(turquoise)(3.5)<4color(white)(XXXXXX)color(turquoise)3.5>3XXX3.5<4XXXXXX3.5>3

99. Rewrite the solution as an algebraic inequality that satisfies the conditions.

33<<x<4x<4

:., the solution is 3<x<4.