THE M UST-HA V E

GM A T I NEQUA LI TI ES HA NDBOOK

OURINSTRUCTORS
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INTRODUCTION
Hello there! You might be wondering, why did we write an entire E-book on
Inequalities?

Well, compared to other question types on the GMAT, inequality questions are an
especially slippery slope that send many test-takers tumbling down on the path
to not-so-great Quant scores!
This is because, while most equations indicate a clear relationship between two
statements, inequality problems ask test takers to answer questions based on
limited information.
So, without further ado, let us examine some must-know inequality concepts and
strategies that will help us navigate these tricky questions with limited
information .

We'll first start with the fundamental concept of inequalities, followed by basic
properties and then move on to explore the complexities involved with some
additional properties. Finally we will summarize the key takeaways with a list of
points to keep in mind while using inequalities in a PS and DS question.

1. Inequalities
2. Basic Properties
3. Advanced Properties
4. Points to Remember

1. WHATAREINEQUALITIES?

Equations and inequalities are both mathematical sentences formed by relating

two expressions to each other.
In an equation, the two expressions are deemed equal which is shown by the
symbol =.
Where as in an inequality, the two expressions are not necessarily equal - this is
indicated by the symbols: >, <, ? or ?.

x > y ----> x is greater than y

x ? y ---->x
is greater than or equal to y
x < y ---->
x is less than y
x ? y ----> x is less than or equal to y

INEQUALITIESONANUMBERLINE

Number lines, such as those shown below, are an excellent way to visualize
exactly what a given inequality means. A closed (shaded) circle at the endpoint of
the shaded portion of the number line indicates that the graph is inclusive of that
endpoint, as in the case of ? or ?.

An open (unshaded) circle at the endpoint of the shaded portion of the number
line indicates that the graph is not inclusive of that endpoint, as in the case of < or
>

2. BASICPROPERTIES

There are 2 basic properties of inequalities which we can quickly prove using
the example below.
If we consider the true inequality
4 <8

Adding 2 to both sides

Subtracting

2 from both sides

Multiplying both sides by +2

Dividing both sides by +2 2

6 < 10

(the inequality sign holds true)

2<6

(the inequality sign holds true)

8 < 16

(the inequality sign holds true)

<4

(the inequality sign holds true)

Adding or subt ract ing t he same expression t o bot h sides of

an inequal it y does not change t he inequal it y .
Mul t ipl ying or dividing t he same posit ive number t o bot h
sides of an inequal it y does not change t he inequal it y.

Again considering the true inequality,

4<8

Multiplying both sides by -2

-8 > -16

(the inequality sign reverses)

Dividing both sides by -2

-2 > -4

(the inequality sign reverses)

Mul t ipl ying or dividing t he same negat ive number t o bot h

sides of an inequal it y reverses t he inequal it y - t his is al so
cal l ed t he f l ip rul e of inequal it ies

A LITTLEQ&A ANYONE?

Now t hat we are done wit h t he basic propert ies of inequal it ies, here are a
coupl e of quest ions t o make you t hink.

Quest ion: Can we add or subtract a variable on both sides of an inequality?

Answer: Yes because adding or subtracting a variable is the same as adding or
subtracting a number.
Quest ion: Can we multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a variable?
Answer: No, we cannot, if we do not know the sign of the number that the
variable stands for. The reason is that you would not know whether to flip the
inequality sign.
Let us illustrate this with an example If x/ y > 1, most test-takers make the mistake of deducing that x>y, by
multiplying both sides by y. But we haven?t been given any information about
the sign of the number that the variable y stands for.
If x = 3 and y = 2 then the above relation x/ y > 1 will hold true and x will be
greater than y.
However if x = -3 and y= -2 then the above relation x/ y > 1 will again hold
true but x will not be greater than y.
If x/ y > 1, the only fact that can definitely be deduced is that both x and y are
of the same sign .

EXAMPLES

Quest ion: If a, b, c are non zero integers and a > bc, then which of the following
must be true :
I.a/ b > c
II.a/ c > b
III.a/ bc > 1
A.I only
B.II only
C.III only
D.I, II and III
E.None of these

Sol ut ion:
Now the trap answer here will be D (I, II and III). The general tendency will be to
multiply both sides of the first inequality a/ b > c by b to get a > bc, both sides of
the second inequality by c to get a > bc and both sides of the third inequality by
bc to get a > bc.
Remember we can never multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a
variable if the sign of the variable is not known and in the above problem the
signs of b and c are not know. The above statements I, II and III can be true, if b
and c are both positive but they will not be true if b and c are negative and since
the question is of a must be true type, the answer here must be E.

Solving an inequality means finding all of its solutions. A ?solution? of an

inequality is a number which when substituted for the variable satisfies the
inequality
The steps to solve a linear inequation are as follows:
-

Isolate the variable and always keep the variable positive

Solve using the properties of inequalities
Represent the inequality on a number line

Solve: -6x + 4 ? -2
Isolating the variable by subtracting 4 from both sides we get -6x ? -6
Dividing both sides by -6 and flipping the inequality sign we get x ? 1

3. ADVANCED CONCEPTS

Well, so far, we saw how the basic operations are applied to inequalities.
It is now time to delve into more complex properties of inequalities, dealing with :

1. Inequalities in fractions
2. Squaring Inequalities
3. Square Root Inequalities
4. Reciprocal of Inequalities
5. Like Inequalities
6. Max Min Concept of Inequalities
7. Quadratic Inequalities

Let's get started!

# 1: INEQUALITIES INFRACTIONS

All proper fractions on the number line can be represented using the
range -1 < x < 1 where x represents the proper fraction

All positive proper fractions can be represented using the range 0 < x < 1
where x represents the positive proper fraction

For all proper fractions (0 < x < 1), ?x > x > x2

If x = then ?x = and x^2 = 1/ 16

Clearly here > > 1/ 16

If x = 0.888, y = ?0.888 and z = (0.888)^2 which of the following is true

A.x < y < z
B.x < z < y
C.y < x < z
D.z < y < x
E.z < x < y

Sol ut ion:
Since 0.888 is a fraction,
?0.888 0.888 > (0.888)^2
y>x>z
Reversing the inequality we get z < x < y

Answer : E

# 2 : SQUARINGINEQUALITIES

WE cannot square both sides of an inequality unless you know t he signs of both
sides of the inequality

If bot h sides are known t o be negat ive t hen f l ip t he inequal it y sign when you
square.
For instance, if a < -4, then the left hand side must be negative. Since both sides
are negative, you can square both sides and reverse the inequality sign : a^2 > 16.
However, if a > -4, then you cannot square both sides, because it is unclear
whether the left side is positive or negative. If a is negative then a^2 < 16, but if x
is positive then x^2 could be either greater than 9 or less than 9.

If bot h sides are known t o be posit ive, do not f l ip t he inequal it y sign when you
square.
For instance, if a > 4, then the left side must be positive; since both sides are
positive you can square both sides to yield a^2 > 16. However if a < 4 then you
cannot square both sides, because it is unclear whether the left side is positive or
negative.

If one side is posit ive and one side is negat ive t hen you cannot square.
For instance, if you know that a < b, a is negative, and b is positive, you cannot
make any determination about x^2 vs. y^2. If for example, x = -2 and y = 2, then
x^2 = y^2. If x = -2 and y = 3, then x^2 < y^2. If x = -2 and y = 1, then x^2 > y^2.
It should be noted that if one side of the inequality is negative and the other side
is positive, then squaring is probably not warranted .

If signs are uncl ear, t hen you cannot square. Put simply, we would not know
whether to flip the sign of the inequality once you have squared it .

# 3: SQUAREROOT INEQUALITIES

If x^2 < a ^2, then x > -a and x < a, the range of x will be ? a < x < a

For e.g. if x^2 < 100 then the values of x that are going to satisfy the inequality
are values of x < 10 and values of x > -10.

If x^2 > a^2, then x > a and x < -a, the range of x will be from (-? , -a) and (a, ? )

For e.g. if x^2 > 100 then the values of x that are going to satisfy the inequality
are values of x > 10 and values of x < -10.

If (y - 5)^2 < 36, find the range of y

If x^2 < a^2 then the range of x is -a < x < a

Now x here is replaced by y - 5 and a is replaced by 6 (since 6^2 = 36).
(y - 5)^2 < 36 ----> -6 < y - 5 < 6.
Now adding 5 throughout and isolating the variable y we get
(y - 5)^2 < 36 ----> -6 + 5 < y - 5 + 5 < 6+ 5
(y - 5) ^2 < 36 ---->

-1 < y < 11

# 4: RECIPROCAL INEQUALITIES

Taking the reciprocal of both a and b can change the direction of the inequality.
The general rule is that when a < b then:
- If (1/ a ) > (1/ b) when a and b are posit ive , flip the inequality. If 2 < 3, then >
1/ 3
- If (1/ a) > (1/ b) when a and b are negat ive , flip the inequality. If -3 < -2, then
1/ -3 > 1/ -2
- If (1/ a) < (1/ b) when a is negat ive and b is posit ive , do not flip the inequality. If
-3 < 2, then 1/ -3 < 1/ 2
- If you do not know t he sign of a or b you cannot t ake reciprocal s.

In summary, if you know the signs of the variables, you should flip the inequality
unless a and b have different signs.

If 3 ? 6/ (x+1) ? 6, find the range of x

Taking the reciprocal of the above range and flipping the inequality sign since the
entire inequality is positive
1/ 3 ? (x + 1)/ 6 ? 1/ 6

Multiplying throughout by 6
2 ? (x + 1) ? 1
Subtracting 1 from all sides
1

? x ? 0 --> 0 ? x ? 1

# 5: LIKEINEQUALITIES

The only mathematical operation you can perform between two sets of
inequalities, provided the inequality sign is the same is addition.
If the signs are not the same then use the properties to flip the inequality sign and
then add the two sets of inequalities .

Like Inequal it ies can be added

Adding the two inequalities
5 < 7 (TRUE)

-8 < -5 (TRUE)

-8 < 5 (TRUE)

Subtracting the inequalities

1 < 0 (FALSE)

0 < -1 (FALSE)

0 < 1 (TRUE)

Multiplying the inequalities

6 < 16 (TRUE)

16 < 6 (FALSE)

16 < 6 (FALSE)

The only mathematical operation you can safely perform between two sets of
inequalities, provided the inequality sign is the same is addition.
If the signs are not the same then use the properties to flip the inequality sign
and then add the two sets of inequalities .

If 4a + 2b < n and 4b + 2a > m, then b ? a must be

A.< (m ? n)/ 2
B.? (m ? n)/ 2
C.> (m ? n)/ 2
D.? (m ? n)/ 2
E.? (m + n)/ 2
Given 4a + 2b < n and 4b + 2a > m. We can always add like inequalities.
Multiplying the second inequality
4b + 2a > m by -1 we get -4b ? 2a < -m.
Now adding the two inequalities
4a + 2b < n and -4b ? 2a < -m

4a + 2b < n
-4b - 2a < -m
________________
2a ? 2b < n ? m
Dividing both sides by 2
a ? b < (n ? m)/ 2
Multiplying both sides by -1
b ? a > (m ? n )/ 2

Answer : C

# 6: MIN AND MAX INEQUALITIES

Problems involving optimization: specifically, minimization or maximization

problems are common occurrence on the GMAT .

In these problems, you need to focus on the largest and smallest possible values
for each of the variables.

This is because some combination of them will usually lead to the largest or
smallest possible result.

If -7 ? x ? 6 and -7 ? y ? 8, what is t he maximum possibl e val ue f or xy?

To f ind t he maximum and minimum possibl e val ues f or xy, pl ace t he inequal it ies
one bel ow t he ot her and make sure t he inequal it y signs are t he same. You need
to test the extreme values for x and for y to determine which combinations of
extreme values will maximize ab.
-7 ? x ? 6

-7 ? y ? 8
The f our ext reme val ues of xy are 49, 48, -56 and -42. Out of t hese t he maximum
possibl e val ue of xy is 49 and t he minimum possibl e val ue is -56.

Whenever two ranges of inequalities are given in x and y and you need to evaluate
the value of x + y , x * y, and x ? y then use the max-min concept
1. Place the two inequality ranges one below the other
2. Make sure the inequality signs are the same in both cases
3. If the signs are not the same use the properties we have discussed before to
make them the same
4. Now add/ multiply/ subtract both in a straight line and diagonally to get 4
values
5. The greatest value will be max and the lowest value will be min

Is xy < 6 ?
I. x < 3 and -y > -2
II. y^2 < 100 , 1/ 2 < x < 2/ 3

Evaluating Statement 1 individually

x < 3 and y < 2 (Multiplying both sides by -1 and flipping the inequality sign)
Now if x = 2 and y = 1 then xy = 2 which gives a YES
If x = -3 and y = -2 then xy = 6 which gives a NO
St at ement 1 is insuf f icient
Evaluating Statement 2 individually
y^2 < 100 ---> -10 < y < 10 ; 1/ 2 < x < 2/ 3.
Placing the ranges of x and y one below the other and using the max min concept
we have the maximum value of xy to be 20/ 3 which gives a YES and the minimum
value of xy to be -20/ 3 which gives a NO.
St at ement 2 is Insuf f icient
Combining Statements 1 and 2
Now the range of x is still going to be 1/ 2 < x < 2/ 3 but the range of y is going to
be - 10 < y < 2 (Since y < 2 from statement 1)
Now using the max min concept for the above ranges of x and y, we have the
maximum value of xy to be 4/ 3 and the minimum value of xy to be -20/ 3. All
possible values of xy here are less than 6 which gives a definite YES.
Answer : C

# 7: QUADRATICINEQUALITIES

3x^2 ? 7x + 4 ? 0
Factorizing the above quadratic inequation
3x^2 ? 7x + 4 ? 0 ---> 3x^2 ? 3x ? 4x + 4 ? 0 ---> 3x(x - 1) - 4(x - 1) ? 0 --->
(3x - 4)(x - 1) ? 0
we get 1 and 4/ 3 as critical points. We place them on number line.

Since the number line is divided into three regions, now we can get 3 ranges of x
i) x < 1 (all values of x when substituted in (3x ? 4)(x ? 1) makes the product
positive)
ii) 1 ? x ? 4/ 3 (all values of x when substituted in (3x ? 4)(x ? 1) makes the product
negative
iii) x > 4/ 3 (all values of x when substituted in (3x ? 4)(x ? 1) makes the product
positive)

At this point we should understand that for the inequality (3x-4)(x-1) ? 0 to hold
true, exactly one of (3x-4) and (x-1) should be negative and other one be positive.
Let?s examine 3 possible ranges one by one.

i) If x > 4/ 3, obviously both the factors i.e. (3x-4) and (x-1) will be positive and in
that case inequality would not hold true. So this cannot be the range of x.
ii) If x is between 1 and 4/ 3 both inclusive, (3x-4) will be negative or equal to zero
and (x-1) will be positive or equal to zero. Hence with this range inequality holds
true. Correct.
iii) If x < 1, both (3x-4) and (x-1) will be negative hence inequality will not hold
true.
So t he range of x t hat sat isf ies t he inequal it y 3x^2 ? 7x + 4 ? 0 is 1

? x ? 4/ 3

The steps to solve a quadratic inequation are as follows:

1. Isolate the variable and always keep the variable positive.
2. Maintain the Inequation in the form ax^2 + bx + c > 0 or < 0.
3. Obtain the factors of Inequation.
4. Place them on number line. The number line will get divided into the
three regions.
5. Mark the rightmost region with + sign, the next region with a ? sign and
the third region with a + sign (alternating + and ? starting from the
rightmost region).
6. If the Inequation is of the form ax^2 + bx + c < 0, the region having the ?
sign will be the solution of the given quadratic inequality.
7. If the Inequation is of the form ax^2 + bx + c > 0, the region having the +
sign will be the solutions of the given quadratic inequality.

Quest ion: Will the above procedure hold good even for a cubic or a fourth
degree equation?
Answer: YES. For a cubic inequality we get 3 critical points which when plotted
on the number line divides the number line into 4 regions. Mark the rightmost
region as +ve and alternate the sign as shown below

Now based on whether the right hand side of the cubic inequality is < 0 or > 0
we get the solution to lie in 2 of the 4 regions.

How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x + 2) (x + 3) (x - 2) >=0

are less than 5?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

The 3 critical points here are at -2, -3 and 2. Now using the concept of quadratic
inequalities and plotting the critical points on the number line we get

-3

-2

Now since the right hand side is >= 0 we need to consider the positive regions of
the number line. The range of x where the given inequality expression is positive
is x >= 2 and -3<= x < = -2 . From the range of x the integer values less than 5 are
2, 3, 4, -3 and -2

Answer : E

Here are a few things you need to remember when you are using the properties
of inequalities to simplify complex PS and DS inequality problems
1.Add or subtract any quantity on both sides of the inequality without changing
the inequality sign.
2.Multiply or divide by a positive value without changing the inequality sign.
3.Square both sides only when the quantities are both positive.
4.When multiplying and dividing by a negative number always flip the
inequality sign.
5.Never multiply or divide both quantities by a variable if the sign of the
variable is unknown.
6.If the sign of the variable is always positive then it is possible to multiply or
divide both quantities by the positive variable (for e.g. x2 ,since x2 is always
positive).
7.The only mathematical operation that you can perform between two sets of
inequalities is addition. Never subtract, multiply or divide.

CONCLUSION
After reading our simple guide, you should now know what strategies you
must employ for inequality questions on the GMAT!
We hope this guide helps you along the way to a 51 on GMAT Quant!

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