Quadratic Inequalities - Examples and Practice

Quadratic inequalities have the form ax²+bx+c>0, where the inequality signs used are <, >, ≤ and ≥. To solve quadratic inequalities, we have to find the values of x in the equation ax²+bx+c=0, and then determine the inequality signs those values have to use for the original inequality to be correct.

In this article, we will learn all about quadratic inequalities. We will learn how to solve them, and we will apply what we have learned in some practice problems.

ALGEBRA
Quadratic inequalities

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Learning about quadratic inequalities with examples.

See examples

ALGEBRA
Quadratic inequalities

Relevant for...

Learning about quadratic inequalities with examples.

See examples

How to solve quadratic inequalities

To solve quadratic inequalities, we can follow the following steps:

Step 1: Simplify and write the inequality in the form $latex ax^2+bx+c<0$. The "<" sign could be different depending on the problem.

Step 2: Identify where the graph of $latex y=ax^2+bx+c$ intersects the x-axis. To achieve this, we can solve the quadratic equation by factoring $latex ax^2+bx+c=0$ and find the x values.

Step 3: Sketch a simple graph of the function $latex y=ax^2+bx+c$ to determine the solution. Alternatively, we can solve without a graph by considering the following:

  • If we have a positive quadratic term, the parabola opens up and is U-shaped.
  • If the quadratic term is negative, the parabola opens down.
  • Values below the x-axis are less than 0, and values above the x-axis are greater than 0.

Step 4: Using the graph or otherwise, we need to determine the inequality symbols that will make the solutions found in step 2 satisfy the inequality.

Explore the examples with answers shown below to understand the application of these steps with real problem

10 Examples of quadratic inequalities with answers

Each of the following examples has its respective detailed solution. However, try to solve the problems yourself before looking at the answer.

EXAMPLE 1

Solve the inequality $latex x^2+3x-4<0$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 2

Find the solution to the inequality $latex x^2+x-2>0$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 3

Solve the inequality $latex x^2+2x-8<0$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 4

Find the solution to the inequality $latex x^2+8x+4>2x-4$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 5

Solve the inequality $latex x^2+2x-12<x+8$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 6

What is the solution to the inequality $latex x^2+4x+10>-4x-5$?

Solution

EXAMPLE 7

Solve the inequality $latex -x^2+6x-8\geq 0$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 8

Find the solution to the inequality $latex -2x^2+9x-10\leq 0$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 9

Solve the inequality $latex \frac{2}{x-3}\leq 1$.

Solution

EXAMPLE 10

Solve the inequality $latex \frac{x+1}{7x-1}\leq \frac{2}{7}$.

Solution

5 Practice problems of quadratic inequalities

Solve the following problems in order to test your knowledge of quadratic inequalities. Use the solved examples above as a guide.

Solve the inequality $latex x^2-8x+15>0$.

Choose an answer






What is the solution to the inequality $latex x^2+x-12< 0$?

Choose an answer






Solve the inequality $latex (2x+3)(x-1) <0$.

Choose an answer






What is the solution to the inequality $latex (3x+2)(2x-1)\geq 0$?

Choose an answer






Solve the inequality $latex x^2+5x\geq 10+2x$.

Choose an answer






See also

Interested in learning more about inequalities? You can take a look at these pages:

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