Chapter-41

Inequality

1. Quadratic Expression
An expression of the form ax2 + bx + c (a  o); where a, b, c are
real numbe rs is called a quadratic expre ssion in x. The
corresponding equation of the expression ax 2 + bx + c is
ax2 + bx + c = 0
2. Real Number Line

On the real number line, as we move right the value becomes

greater.
Therefore, 2 < 3, –3 < –2. [Since on the real number line as
–2 is in the right side of –3, therefore, –2 is greater than –3]
Also, –2 < 0, –2 < 1, –1.5 < –0.5, –1.999 > –2 and so on.
3. Sign Scheme For the Quadratic Expression ax2 + bx + c
The sign scheme for the quadratic expression is always meant
for the real values of x. We cannot compare any two imaginary
numbers. Therefore, to say that ri > 2i or 4i < wi is absolutely
incorrect.
A given quadratic expression in one variable, say x, could be
either positive or negative depending on the values of x. For a
quadratic expression ax2 + bx + c, all such real values of x can
be found for which the given expression in x would be positive
or negative. To find the sign scheme of the quadratic expression
ax2 + bx + c, find the roots of the corresponding equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0 and do the following:
(a) If roots are real and equal or imaginary, then ax2 + bx + c
will have same sign as that of the coefficient of x2 for all
real values of x. Conversely, if a quadratic expression has
same sign for all re al value s of x, the n roots of its
corresponding equation must be imaginary or real and
unequal, ie the discriminant of the corresponding equation
must be < 0.
(b) If roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c are  and , such that ,
 are real and unequal, ie real and distinct, then sign
scheme for ax2 + bx + c is obtained using the number line
as given below:
324 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae

It is to be noted that a is the coefficient of x2 and  is the

smaller root and  is the greater root.
For example, find for what real values of x, (a) the expression
x2 + 2x – 3 > 0 and (b) the expression x2 + 2x – 3 < 0.
To solve the above example let us see the following:
Given quadratic expression is x2 + 2x – 3.

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Corresponding equation is x2 + 2x – 3 = 0.
Now, we find the roots of the above corresponding equation,
x2 + 2x – 3 = 0
x2 + 2x – 3 = 0
x2 + 3x – x – 3 = 0
x(x + 3) – 1(x + 3) = 0

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(x – 1) (x + 3) = 0
x = 1 or – 3
Therefore, = –3 and = 1
Since the roots are real and distinct and coefficient of x2 in
x2 + 2x – 3 is positive, the sign scheme for the expression
x2 + 2x – 3 is as given below:

(a) x2 + 2x – 3 > 0, ie expression x2 + 2x – 3 is either zero or

positive when, x < –3 and x > 1.
(b) x2 + 2x – 3 < 0, ie expression x2 + 2x – 3 is either zero or
negative when, –3 < x < 1.
Note: To answer such questions quickly, always remember
the following:
When the inequality is less than zero (ie < 0),
the value of x is in the smaller range (ie  < x < )
and when the inequality is more than zero (ie > 0)
the value of x is in the larger range (ie – < x <  or
 < x < + ). Try to solve the above example by applying
this quicker method. (Always Remember)
4. Wavy Curve Method to Solve Inequation
Let f (x) = (x + 2) (2x – 5)2 (x – 6)3 be any function. We have to find
the set of values of x for which
(i) f (x) > 0
(ii) f (x) < 0
(iii) f (x) > 0
(iv) f (x) < 0
Inequality 325
Procedure to Solve Such Type of Problems
Step I: Factorize the given algebraic function and make the
coefficient of x positive in each of the factors.
Step II: Find the roots of the given function.
Step III: Arrange the roots in ascending order.
Step IV: Put the roots on Real Number Line.
Step V: Notice whether powers of the factors are even or
odd.
Step VI: Draw the diagram as given below.

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For drawing a diagram, we begin from the greatest root. The
greatest root will lie in the extreme right on the Real Number
Line. Hence, we start drawing the line from the upper part of
the right-hand side (see the diagram given below) and come to
the point where the greatest root of the given function lies on
the Real Number Line. Check the power of the factor containing
the greatest root, whether it is even or odd. If the power is

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odd, cross the number line and come to the next root (just
next to the greatest root) lying on the Real Number Line, other-
wise don’t cross the number line but remain on the same side
of the number line and come to the next root. Following fig-
ures will illustrate our points.
Case I: If the power of the factor containing the greatest root
is odd:

Case II: If the power of the factor containing the greatest root
is even:
326 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
At point B on the number line, again we have to check the
power of the factor containing root B whether it is odd or even
and follow the same above-discussed procedure.
Convention: We take the upper part of the Real Number Line
as positive (+ve) and the lower part of it as negative (–ve). (See
the above diagram.)
Note: +(ve) and (–ve) are the signs of f(x).
Now, let us see the solution of the sample question given
above.
Roots of f(x) = –2, 5/2, 6

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Putting the roots on Real Number Line, we get the following
diagram:

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(i) f  x   0 , when x   , 2   6, 
In another way
f  x   0 , when

   x  2  6  x  
(ii) f  x   0 , when

 2  x  5 2   5 2  x  6
(iii) f  x   0 , when

   x  2   6  x  
(iv) f  x   0 , when

 2  x  5 2  5 2  x  6 .
For illustration see the examples given below:
Ex. 1: Solve (3x – 1) (x – 2) < 0.
Soln: Dividing by 3 on both sides (because the term 3x is
there, so to get x we have to divide it by 3),
Inequality 327

 1
then  x    x  2  0
3

1
  x  2
3
1
 3x 2

K Alternative Method: (Wavy Curve Method)

1
Roots of the equation  3x  1 x  2  0 are
3
and 2.

Now, put these roots on the Real Number Line and draw
a curve as given below.

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1
We have crossed the number line at 2 and , because
3
powers of  3x  1 and  x  2 are 1, ie odd.
We have to find the set of solutions of the inequation
 3x  1 x  2  0 . From the above diagram we can eas-
1
ily find the required set of solutions =  x  2.
3
Ex. 2: Solve (2 – x) (x – 5) < 0.
Soln: Multiply by (–1) on both sides and that is why ‘<’ sign
will change to ‘>’
ie (–1) (2 – x) (x – 5) > 0(–1)
  x  2 x  5  0
 

2 5
 x  2   x  5 ie x  R   2, 5 
Alternative Method: (Wavy Curve Method)
Making the coefficient of x + ve,
 2  x  x  5  0   x  2 x  5  0
328 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae

(Both the powers are odd, hence we cross the Real Num-
ber Line at 5 and 2).
 2  x  x  5  0 if  x  2 x  5  0

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Required set of solutions is
 ,2   5,   or,  x  2   x  5
Ex. 3: Solve 3x2 – 7x – 6 > 0.
Soln: 3x 2  9 x  2x  6  0
 3x  x  3  2  x  3  0   x  3 3x  2  0

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



2
  x  3  x    0 (dividing both sides by 3)
3

 x  3 x   
2 
  0
3 


 2
 x      x  3
 3
Alternative Method: (Wavy Curve Method)
Roots of the equation 3x 2  7 x  6  0
2
 x = 3 and 
3
Putting the roots on the Real Number Line and drawing
a curve, we get the following:

We have to find the set of solutions of the inequation

3x 2  7 x  6  0 . From the above diagrams required set

 2
of solutions = x      x  3
 3
Inequality 329
Ex. 4: Solve 5x2 + 6x + 1 < 0
Soln: 5x 2  6x  1  0  5x 2  5x  x  1  0
 5x(x + 1) + x + 1 < 0
 (x + 1) (5x + 1) < 0
1 
  x  1  x    0  1  x  
5 5
Alternative Method: (Wavy Curve Method)

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1
Roots of the equation 5 x 2  6x  1  0 are –1 and  .
5
Putting these roots on the Real Number Line and draw-
ing the diagram, we have the following:

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We have to solve 5 x 2  6x  1  0
From the above diagram it is clear that the required set
1
of solutions = 1  x  
5
Ex. 5: Solve x3 – 6x2 + 11x – 6 < 0.
Soln: Putting x = 1, we get x 3  6 x 2  11x  6  0
Hence (x – 1) is a factor of given equation.

x 3  6 x 2  11x  6 =  x  1 x  5x  6
2

  x  1 x  2 x  3
We have to solve,  x  1 x  2 x  3  0

Required set of solutions is

 x  1   2  x  3 or,  , 1   2, 3
330 Magical Book on Arithmetical Formulae
5. Maximum or Minimum Value of a Quadratic Expression
We know that the equation of the type ax2 + bx + c = 0 (where
a  o) is called a quadratic equation. An expression of the type
ax2 + bx + c is called a “quadratic expression”. The quadratic
expression ax2 + bx + c takes different values as x takes different
values.
As x varie s from –  to +, the quadratic e xpre ssion
ax2 + bx + c
(a) has a minimum value whenever a > 0. The minimum value

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 4ac  b 2 
of the quadratic expression is  and it occurs at x
 4a 
b
=  .
2a
(b) has a maximum value whenever a < 0. The maximum value
 4ac  b 2 

= KUNDAN
of the quadratic expression is 
b
2a
.
 4a 

Ex. 6: Find the maximum or minimum value of the

and it occurs at x

expression –5x2 + 20x + 40. Also find the value of x

for which maximum or minimum value occurs.
Soln: From the above discussion we know that the quadratic
equation of the form ax2 + bx + c will have a minimum
value when a > 0 and a maximum value when a < 0. Its
 4ac  b 2 
maximum or minimum value is given by 
 4a 
b
and it occurs at x =  .
2a
Here, a = –5, b = 20 and c = 40.
Since, a < 0, the expression –5x2 + 20x + 40 has a
maximum value.

4(5)(40)  202
 the maximum value =  60.
4(5 )
The maximum value of the given expression occurs at
b 20 20
x= = = = 2.
2a 2(5) 10