The Method of Intervals (Wavy Curve Method)

The Method of intervals (or wavy curve) is used for solving inequalities of the form f(x)
=

> 0 ( < 0, < 0, or > 0) where n1, n2, , nk, m1, m2, ,

mp are natural numbers and the numbers a 1, a2, , ak; b1, b2,, bp are any real numbers such
that ai bj, where i = 1, 2, 3, , k and j = 1, 2, 3, , p.
q All zeros1 of the function f(x) contained on the left hand side of the inequality should be marked on
the number line with inked (black) circles.
q All points of discontinuities2 of the function f(x) contained on the left hand side of the inequality
should be marked on the number line with un-inked (white) circles.
q Check the value of f(x) for any real number greater than the right most marked number on the
number line.
q From right to left, beginning above the number line (in case of value of f(x) is positive in step (iii),
otherwise, from below the number line), a wavy curve should be drawn to pass through all the
marked points so that when it passes through a simple point 3, the curve intersects the number line,
and, when passing through a double point 4, the curve remains located on one side of the number
line.
q The appropriate intervals are chosen in accordance with the sign of inequality (the function f(x) is
positive whenever the curve is situated above the number line, it is negative if the curve is found
below the number line). Their union represents the solution of inequality.

Remark:

(i)

Points of discontinuity will never be included in the answer.

(ii)

If you are asked to find the intervals where f(x) is non-negative or non-positive then make the

intervals closed corresponding to the roots of the numerator and let it remain open corresponding to
the roots of denominator.

The point for which f(x) vanishes (becomes zero) are called zeros of function e.g. x = a i.

The points x = bj are the point of the discontinuity of the function f(x).

If the exponents of a factor is odd then the point is called a simple point.

If the exponent of a factor is even then the point is called a double point.

Illustration:

Let f(x) =

. Find intervals, where f(x) is positive or negative.

Solution:

f(x) > 0

x (5, 2)(1, 3)(7, )

and f(x) < 0

x (, 5)(2, 1)(3, 7).

Illustration:

Find the set of all x for which

x.

Solution:

We have

>0

<0

<0


There

< 0.
are

five

intervals

<

(1)
2,

<

<

1,

<

<

2/3,

2/3 < x < 1/2, x > 1/2.

The inequality (1) will hold for 2 < x < 1 and for 2/3 < x < 1/2.
Hence 2 < x < 1 an 2/3 < x < 1/2.

Quadratic expression

The function f(x) = ax2 + bx + c is called the quadratic expression. If a and b are the two distinct roots
of the quadratic expression then it can be written as

ax2 + bx + c = a (x a) (x b)

Now, considering every possibility of the roots of the equation.

Case I:

Roots are imaginary

Let one root of the quadratic equation be imaginary i.e. a = p + iq
and a(x a)(x b)

then b = p iq

= a [x (p + iq)] [x (p iq)]
= a [(x p) iq] [(x p) + iq]
= a [(x p)2 + q2]
= a [(+)ve quantity]

so, sign of the expression depends on the sign of a, i.e. if a is

positive. If a is negative, then expression

Case II:

is negative.

positive, then expression is

Roots are real and equal.

Let one root be a, then other root is also a.
Now, a(x a)(x b)

= a(x a)2
= a[(+)ve quantity]

again, the sign of the expression depends upon the sign of a.

Case III:

Roots are real and unequal

Let a and b be the two real roots and let a < b. Now consider following
(a)

x < a < b.
(x a) < 0
and (x b) < 0
so, a(x a)(x b) = a[(+)ve quantity]
Therefore, sign of the expression is same as sign of a

(b)

a < b < x.
(x a) > 0
and (x b) > 0
Therefore, sign of the expression is same as sign of a

(c)

a < x < b.
(x a) > 0
and (x b) < 0
so,

a(x a)(x b) = a[()ve quantity]

sign of the expression is to opposite to the sign of a.

cases.

The above result can be shown on real line as left hand side.

Graphical Interpretations

y = ax2 + bx + c = a

(i)

This is an equation of a parabola with vertex at

and latus rectum .

Pause:

We shall discuss about parabola in detail in module VIII.

Now, in the rectangular co-ordinate system, if we shift origin to the

vertex

then equation (i) can be written as

Y = aX2 or X2 =

Y with x = X

y=Y

To draw its graph, we observe the following :

Unless both roots and equal the curve should intersect x-axis twice.

(i)

If a > 0 then Y has to be non-negative i.e., graph will be upward going infinitely i.e., of the

shape as shown in figure.

(ii)

If a < 0 then Y has to be non-positive i.e., graph will be downward going infinitely i.e., of the

shape as shown in figure.

Now, the nature of roots of ax 2 + bx + c = 0 depends upon the fact that y = ax 2 + bc + c, the parabola
with vertex

intersects x-axis one time, two times or not at all, which depends on the

Y-coordinate of the vertex i.e.

on because parabola opens either upward of downward.

Case I:

When D < 0

Then

vertex

will

be

above

or

below

x-axis

corresponding

to

>

or

a < 0. Once vertex turns out to be above or below x-axis, then the whole graph is bound to be above
or below x-axis respectively. Otherwise the graph will intersect x-axis i.e., ax 2 + bx + c = 0 will have
real roots which contradicts the fact that D < 0.

Thus when D < 0 then ax2 + bx + c > 0 x if a > 0 and ax2 + bx + c < 0

x if a < 0

Case II:

When D = 0,

Then

= 0 i.e., the parabola just touches the x-axis and therefore, only one real root. In fact,

that is the case when roots turn out to be real and equal.

In this case the equation of the parabola becomes

y=a

which confirms the statement made earlier.

i.e., a > 0 y > 0

and a < 0 y < 0

Thus, here too, the whole graph behaves as a.

Case III:

When D > 0

The vertex

will be above or below x-axis according to a < 0 or a > 0 respetively.

When a < 0 then the vertex is above x-axis and so the graph has to extend downward infinitely so
that it intersects x-axis at two distinct points i.e., the equation ax 2 + bx + x = 0 will have two real
roots. Say, the roots are a and b and a < b.

And a < 0 then the vertex is below x-axis and so the graph has to extend upward infinitely to enable
the existence of two distinct real roots.

When a < 0, then for all values of x lying between a and b, the corresponding y-coordinate on the
graph

is

below

x-axis

i.e.,

the

sign

of

(ax + bx + c) will be same as that of a for all x R and x (a, b) and the corresponding y coordinate
2

on the graph is above x axis i.e., positive which confirms that (ax 2 + bx + c) behaves opposite to a
for all x (a, b). In same manner the corresponding graph can be seen true when a > 0.

Note:

(i)

In the above figures, we observe that Y-axis does not play any significant role in the above

discussion.
(ii)

Under case (iii), we observe that if the roots are a & b then (a + b)/2 (i.e., mid-point of the line

segment joining a & b = b/2a i.e., a + b = b/a.

(iii)

We know that multiplication by a constant (l) does not change the roots of the given quadratic

equation

i.e.

ax2 +

bx

lax2 + lbx + lc = 0 both have same set of roots.

Let us see the graphical significance of l.

and

(iv) Having studied the graphs of the quadratic functions we may find the solution of the equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0 graphically.

Summary of Important points

Depending on the sign of a and b 2 4ac, f(x) may be positive negative or zero. This gives rise to the
following cases:

(i)

a > 0 and b2 4ac < 0

f(x) > 0

x R.

In this case the parabola always

remains above the x-axis.
(ii)

a > 0 and b2 4ac = 0

f(x) > 0

x R.

In this case the parabola always

remains above the x-axis.

(iii)

a > 0 and b2 4ac > 0.

Let f(x) = 0 have two real roots a and b
(a<b)
Then f(x) > 0
and f(x) < 0

(iv)

x (, a)(b, )
x (a, b).

a < 0 and b2 4ac < 0

f(x) < 0

xR

In this case the parabola always remains

below the x-axis.
(v)

a < 0 and b2 4ac = 0

f(x) < 0

x R.

In this case the parabola touches the

x-axis and lies below the x-axis.
(vi)

a < 0 and b2 4ac > 0

Let f(x)=0 have two real roots a and b
(a<b).
Then f(x) < 0 x (, a)(b, ) and f(x) > 0
x (a, b).

Illustration:

Let f(x) be a quadratic expression which is positive

g(x) > 0

x R. If g(x) = f(x) + f(x) + f(x), then prove that

x R.

Solution:

Let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c. Then g(x) = f(x) + f(x) + f(x)

= ax2 + bx + c + (2ax + b) + 2a = ax2 + (b + 2a) x + c + b + 2a.
Given f(x) = ax2 + bx + c > 0

xR

 b2 4ac < 0 and a > 0.

(1)

Now discriminant of equation g(x) = 0 is

D = (b + 2a)2 4a (c + b + 2a)
= b2 + 4a2 + 4ab 4ac 4ab 8a2
= b2 4a2 4ac = (b2 4ac) 4a2 < 0 and a > 0 from (1)
g(x) > 0

x R.

Illustration:

If f(x) = (a1x + b1)2 + (a2x + b2)2 ++ (anx + bn)2, then prove that
(a1b1 + a2b2 + + anbn)2 <

Solution:

Given f(x) = (a1x + b1)2 + (a2x + b2)2 ++ (anx + bn)2

or

f(x)

x2 +

(1)
2(a1b1 +

.
From (1), f(x) > 0

a2b2 ++

anbn)x

(2)

xR

from (2)
x2 + 2(a1b1 + a2b2 ++anbn)x +
Hence its discriminant D < 0

> 0,

x R.

[ coefficient of x2 is positive]

4(a1b1 + a2b2 ++ anbn)2 < 4

(a1b1 + a2b2 ++ anbn) <

Illustration:

If ax2 bx + 5 = 0 does not have 2 distinct real roots, then find the minimum value of 5a + b.

Solution:

Let f(x) = ax2 + bx + 5. Since f(x) = 0 does not have 2 distinct real roots, we have either f(x) < 0
R.
But f(0) = 5 > 0, so f(x) > 0

x R. In particular f(5) > 0

25a + 5b + 5 > 0 5a + b > 1.

Hence the least value of 5a + b is 1.