This is “Solving Quadratic Inequalities”, section 6.5 from the book Advanced Algebra (v. 1.0). For details on it (including licensing), click here.

For more information on the source of this book, or why it is available for free, please see the project's home page. You can browse or download additional books there. To download a .zip file containing this book to use offline, simply click here.

Has this book helped you? Consider passing it on:
Creative Commons supports free culture from music to education. Their licenses helped make this book available to you.
DonorsChoose.org helps people like you help teachers fund their classroom projects, from art supplies to books to calculators.

6.5 Solving Quadratic Inequalities

Learning Objectives

  1. Check solutions to quadratic inequalities with one variable.
  2. Understand the geometric relationship between solutions to quadratic inequalities and their graphs.
  3. Solve quadratic inequalities.

Solutions to Quadratic Inequalities

A quadratic inequalityA mathematical statement that relates a quadratic expression as either less than or greater than another. is a mathematical statement that relates a quadratic expression as either less than or greater than another. Some examples of quadratic inequalities solved in this section follow.

x22x110 2x27x+3>0 9x2>0

A solution to a quadratic inequality is a real number that will produce a true statement when substituted for the variable.

Example 1

Are −3, −2, and −1 solutions to x2x60?

Solution:

Substitute the given value in for x and simplify.

x2x60x2x60x2x60(3)2(3)60(2)2(2)60(1)2(1)609+3604+2601+160600040

Answer: −2 and −1 are solutions and −3 is not.

Quadratic inequalities can have infinitely many solutions, one solution, or no solution. If there are infinitely many solutions, graph the solution set on a number line and/or express the solution using interval notation. Graphing the function defined by f(x)=x2x6 found in the previous example we have

The result of evaluating for any x-value will be negative, zero, or positive.

f(3)=6Positivef(x)>0f(2)=0Zerof(x)=0f(1)=4Negativef(x)<0

The values in the domain of a function that separate regions that produce positive or negative results are called critical numbersThe values in the domain of a function that separate regions that produce positive or negative results.. In the case of a quadratic function, the critical numbers are the roots, sometimes called the zeros. For example, f(x)=x2x6=(x+2)(x3) has roots −2 and 3. These values bound the regions where the function is positive (above the x-axis) or negative (below the x-axis).

Therefore x2x60 has solutions where 2x3, using interval notation [2,3]. Furthermore, x2x60 has solutions where x2 or x3, using interval notation (,2][3,).

Example 2

Given the graph of f determine the solutions to f(x)>0:

Solution:

From the graph we can see that the roots are −4 and 2. The graph of the function lies above the x-axis (f(x)>0) in between these roots.

Because of the strict inequality, the solution set is shaded with an open dot on each of the boundaries. This indicates that these critical numbers are not actually included in the solution set. This solution set can be expressed two ways,

{x|4<x<2}SetNotation(4,2)IntervalNotation

In this textbook, we will continue to present answers in interval notation.

Answer: (4,2)

Try this! Given the graph of f determine the solutions to f(x)<0:

Answer: (,4)(2,)

Solving Quadratic Inequalities

Next we outline a technique used to solve quadratic inequalities without graphing the parabola. To do this we make use of a sign chartA model of a function using a number line and signs (+ or −) to indicate regions in the domain where the function is positive or negative. which models a function using a number line that represents the x-axis and signs (+ or −) to indicate where the function is positive or negative. For example,

The plus signs indicate that the function is positive on the region. The negative signs indicate that the function is negative on the region. The boundaries are the critical numbers, −2 and 3 in this case. Sign charts are useful when a detailed picture of the graph is not needed and are used extensively in higher level mathematics. The steps for solving a quadratic inequality with one variable are outlined in the following example.

Example 3

Solve: x2+6x+70.

Solution:

It is important to note that this quadratic inequality is in standard form, with zero on one side of the inequality.

Step 1: Determine the critical numbers. For a quadratic inequality in standard form, the critical numbers are the roots. Therefore, set the function equal to zero and solve.

x2+6x+7=0(x26x7)=0(x+1)(x7)=0x+1=0orx7=0x=1x=7

The critical numbers are −1 and 7.

Step 2: Create a sign chart. Since the critical numbers bound the regions where the function is positive or negative, we need only test a single value in each region. In this case the critical numbers partition the number line into three regions and we choose test values x=3, x=0, and x=10.

Test values may vary. In fact, we need only determine the sign (+ or −) of the result when evaluating f(x)=x2+6x+7=(x+1)(x7). Here we evaluate using the factored form.

f(3)=(3+1)(37)=(2)(10)=Negativef(0)=(0+1)(07)=(1)(7)=+Positivef(10)=(10+1)(107)=(11)(3)=Negative

Since the result of evaluating for −3 was negative, we place negative signs above the first region. The result of evaluating for 0 was positive, so we place positive signs above the middle region. Finally, the result of evaluating for 10 was negative, so we place negative signs above the last region, and the sign chart is complete.

Step 3: Use the sign chart to answer the question. In this case, we are asked to determine where f(x)0, or where the function is positive or zero. From the sign chart we see this occurs when x-values are inclusively between −1 and 7.

Using interval notation, the shaded region is expressed as [1,7]. The graph is not required; however, for the sake of completeness it is provided below.

Indeed the function is greater than or equal to zero, above or on the x-axis, for x-values in the specified interval.

Answer: [1,7]

Example 4

Solve: 2x27x+3>0.

Solution:

Begin by finding the critical numbers, in this case, the roots of f(x)=2x27x+3.

2x27x+3=0(2x1)(x3)=02x1=0orx3=02x=1x=3x=12

The critical numbers are 12 and 3. Because of the strict inequality > we will use open dots.

Next choose a test value in each region and determine the sign after evaluating f(x)=2x27x+3=(2x1)(x3). Here we choose test values −1, 2, and 5.

f(1)=[2(1)1](13)=()()=+f(2)=[2(2)1](23)=(+)()=f(5)=[2(5)1](53)=(+)(+)=+

And we can complete the sign chart.

The question asks us to find the x-values that produce positive results (greater than zero). Therefore, shade in the regions with a + over them. This is the solution set.

Answer: (,12)(3,)

Sometimes the quadratic function does not factor. In this case we can make use of the quadratic formula.

Example 5

Solve: x22x110.

Solution:

Find the critical numbers.

x22x11=0

Identify a, b, and c for use in the quadratic formula. Here a=1, b=2, and c=11. Substitute the appropriate values into the quadratic formula and then simplify.

x=b±b24ac2a=(2)±(2)24(1)(11)2(1)=2±482=2±432=1±23

Therefore the critical numbers are 1232.5 and 1+234.5. Use a closed dot on the number to indicate that these values will be included in the solution set.

Here we will use test values −5, 0, and 7.

f(5)=(5)22(5)11=25+1011=+f(0)=(0)22(0)11=0+011=f(7)=(7)22(7)11=491411=+

After completing the sign chart shade in the values where the function is negative as indicated by the question (f(x)0).

Answer: [123,1+23]

Try this! Solve: 9x2>0.

Answer: (3,3)

It may be the case that there are no critical numbers.

Example 6

Solve: x22x+3>0.

Solution:

To find the critical numbers solve,

x22x+3=0

Substitute a=1, b=2, and c=3 into the quadratic formula and then simplify.

x=b±b24ac2a=(2)±(2)24(1)(3)2(1)=2±82=2±2i22=1+i2

Because the solutions are not real, we conclude there are no real roots; hence there are no critical numbers. When this is the case, the graph has no x-intercepts and is completely above or below the x-axis. We can test any value to create a sign chart. Here we choose x=0.

f(0)=(0)22(0)+3=+

Because the test value produced a positive result the sign chart looks as follows:

We are looking for the values where f(x)>0; the sign chart implies that any real number for x will satisfy this condition.

Answer: (,)

The function in the previous example is graphed below.

We can see that it has no x-intercepts and is always above the x-axis (positive). If the question was to solve x22x+3<0, then the answer would have been no solution. The function is never negative.

Try this! Solve: 9x212x+40.

Answer: One solution, 23.

Example 7

Find the domain: f(x)=x24.

Solution:

Recall that the argument of a square root function must be nonnegative. Therefore, the domain consists of all real numbers for x such that x24 is greater than or equal to zero.

x240

It should be clear that x24=0 has two solutions x=±2; these are the critical values. Choose test values in each interval and evaluate f(x)=x24.

f(3)=(3)24=94=+f(0)=(0)24=04=f(3)=(3)24=94=+

Shade in the x-values that produce positive results.

Answer: Domain: ( ,2 ][ 2, )

Key Takeaways

  • Quadratic inequalities can have infinitely many solutions, one solution or no solution.
  • We can solve quadratic inequalities graphically by first rewriting the inequality in standard form, with zero on one side. Graph the quadratic function and determine where it is above or below the x-axis. If the inequality involves “less than,” then determine the x-values where the function is below the x-axis. If the inequality involves “greater than,” then determine the x-values where the function is above the x-axis.
  • We can streamline the process of solving quadratic inequalities by making use of a sign chart. A sign chart gives us a visual reference that indicates where the function is above the x-axis using positive signs or below the x-axis using negative signs. Shade in the appropriate x-values depending on the original inequality.
  • To make a sign chart, use the function and test values in each region bounded by the roots. We are only concerned if the function is positive or negative and thus a complete calculation is not necessary.

Topic Exercises

    Part A: Solutions to Quadratic Inequalities

      Determine whether or not the given value is a solution.

    1. x2x+1<0; x=1

    2. x2+x1>0; x=2

    3. 4x212x+90; x=32

    4. 5x28x4<0; x=25

    5. 3x2x20; x=0

    6. 4x2x+30; x=1

    7. 24xx2<0; x=12

    8. 52xx2>0; x=0

    9. x2x9<0; x=3

    10. x2+x60; x=6

      Given the graph of f determine the solution set.

    1. f(x)0;

    2. f(x)0;

    3. f(x)0;

    4. f(x)0;

    5. f(x)>0;

    6. f(x)<0;

    7. f(x)>0;

    8. f(x)<0;

    9. f(x)0;

    10. f(x)<0;

      Use the transformations to graph the following and then determine the solution set.

    1. x21>0

    2. x2+2>0

    3. (x1)2>0

    4. (x+2)20

    5. (x+2)210

    6. (x+3)24>0

    7. x2+40

    8. (x+2)2>0

    9. (x+3)2+1<0

    10. (x4)2+9>0

    Part B: Solving Quadratic Inequalities

      Use a sign chart to solve and graph the solution set. Present answers using interval notation.

    1. x2x12>0

    2. x210x+16>0

    3. x2+2x24<0

    4. x2+15x+54<0

    5. x223x240

    6. x212x+200

    7. 2x211x60

    8. 3x2+17x60

    9. 8x218x5<0

    10. 10x2+17x+6>0

    11. 9x2+30x+250

    12. 16x240x+250

    13. 4x24x+1>0

    14. 9x2+12x+4>0

    15. x2x+300

    16. x26x+270

    17. x264<0

    18. x2810

    19. 4x290

    20. 16x225<0

    21. 254x20

    22. 149x2<0

    23. x28>0

    24. x2750

    25. 2x2+1>0

    26. 4x2+3<0

    27. xx2>0

    28. 3xx20

    29. x2x+1<0

    30. x2+x1>0

    31. 4x212x+90

    32. 5x28x4<0

    33. 3x2x20

    34. 4x2x+30

    35. 24xx2<0

    36. 52xx2>0

    37. x2x9<0

    38. x2+x60

    39. 2x2+4x10

    40. 3x2x+10

      Find the domain of the function.

    1. f(x)=x225

    2. f(x)=x2+3x

    3. g(x)=3x2x2

    4. g(x)=12x29x3

    5. h(x)=16x2

    6. h(x)=32xx2

    7. f(x)=x2+10

    8. f(x)=9+x2

    9. A robotics manufacturing company has determined that its weekly profit in thousands of dollars is modeled by P(n)=n2+30n200 where n represents the number of units it produces and sells. How many units must the company produce and sell to maintain profitability. (Hint: Profitability occurs when profit is greater than zero.)

    10. The height in feet of a projectile shot straight into the air is given by h(t)=16t2+400t where t represents the time in seconds after it is fired. In what time intervals is the projectile under 1,000 feet? Round to the nearest tenth of a second.

    Part C: Discussion Board

    1. Does the sign chart for any given quadratic function always alternate? Explain and illustrate your answer with some examples.

    2. Research and discuss other methods for solving a quadratic inequality.

    3. Explain the difference between a quadratic equation and a quadratic inequality. How can we identify and solve each? What is the geometric interpretation of each?

Answers

  1. No

  2. Yes

  3. No

  4. Yes

  5. Yes

  6. [4,2]

  7. [1,3]

  8. (,)

  9. (,4)(8,)

  10. {10}

  11. (,1)(1,)

  12. (,1)(1,)

  13. [3,1]

  14. [2,2]

  15. (,4)(2,)

  1. (,3)(4,)

  2. (6,4)

  3. [1,24]

  4. (,12][6,)
  5. (14,52)
  6. 53
  7. (,12)(12,)
  8. [6,5]

  9. (8,8)

  10. (,32][32,)
  11. [52,52]
  12. (,22)(22,)

  13. (,)

  14. (0,1)

  15. Ø

  16. 32

  17. (,23][1,)
  18. (,26)(2+6,)

  19. (,)

  20. [222,2+22]
  21. (,5][5,)
  22. (,23][1,)
  23. [4,4]

  24. (,)

  25. The company must produce and sell more than 10 units and fewer than 20 units each week.

  1. Answer may vary

  2. Answer may vary