Section 6.5 Quadratic Inequalities
Subsection 1. Solve a linear inequality
First, let's review solving linear inqualities.
Subsubsection Examples
Example 6.66.
Solve \(~-3x+1 \gt 7~\) and graph the solutions on a number line.
The graph of the solutions is shown below.
Example 6.67.
Solve \(~-3 \lt 2x-5 \le 6~\) and graph the solutions on a number line.
The graph of the solutions is shown below.
Subsubsection Exercises
Checkpoint 6.68.
Solve the inequality \(~8-4x \gt -2~\)
Checkpoint 6.69.
Solve the inequality \(~-6 \le \dfrac{4-x}{3} \lt 2~\)
Checkpoint 6.70.
Solve the inequality \(~3x-5 \lt -6x+7~\)
Checkpoint 6.71.
Solve the inequality \(~-6 \gt 4-5b \gt -21~\)
Subsection 2. Simplify square roots
When solving quadratic equations and inequalities, we often encounter square roots.
Recall the product and quotient rules for radicals:
Subsubsection Examples
Example 6.72.
Simplify \(\sqrt{45}\)
We remove any perfect squares from the radical. The largest perfect square that is a factor of 45 is 9.
Example 6.73.
Simplify \(\sqrt{\dfrac{75}{16}}\)
We can simplify the numerator and denominator separately.
Subsubsection Exercises
Checkpoint 6.74.
Simplify \(\sqrt{52}\)
Checkpoint 6.75.
Simplify \(\sqrt{192}\)
Checkpoint 6.76.
Simplify \(\sqrt{\dfrac{245}{36}}\)
Checkpoint 6.77.
Simplify \(\sqrt{\dfrac{800}{81}}\)
Subsection 3. Find the \(x\)-intercepts of a parabola
To solve a quadratic inequality, we first find the \(x\)-intercepts of the graph. Remember that there are four different methods for solving a quadratic equation.
Subsubsection Examples
Example 6.78.
Find the \(x\)-intercepts of the parabola \(~y=4x^2-12\)
Set \(y=0\) and solve for \(x\text{.}\) Use extraction of roots.
The \(x\)-intercepts are \((\sqrt{3},0)\) and \((-\sqrt{3},0)\text{,}\) or about \((1.7,0)\) and \((-1.7,0)\text{.}\)
Example 6.79.
Find the \(x\)-intercepts of the parabola \(~y=-4x^2-12x\)
Set \(y=0\) and solve for \(x\text{.}\) Factor the right side.
The \(x\)-intercepts are \((0,0)\) and \((-3,0)\text{.}\)
Example 6.80.
Find the \(x\)-intercepts of the parabola \(~y=4x^2-12x+8\)
Set \(y=0\) and solve for \(x\text{.}\) Factor the right side.
The \(x\)-intercepts are \((2,0)\) and \((1,0)\text{.}\)
Example 6.81.
Find the \(x\)-intercepts of the parabola \(~y=12-12x-4x^2\)
Set \(y=0\) and solve for \(x\text{.}\) Use the quadratic formula.
The \(x\)-intercepts are \(\left(\dfrac{-3 + \sqrt{15}}{2},0\right)\) and \(\left(\dfrac{-3 - \sqrt{15}}{2},0\right)\text{,}\) or about \((0.44,0)\) and \((-3.44,0)\text{.}\)
Subsubsection Exercises
Find the \(x\)-intercepts of the parabola.
Checkpoint 6.82.
\(~y=2x^2-7x+3\)
Checkpoint 6.83.
\(~y=7x-2x^2\)
Checkpoint 6.84.
\(~y=10-2x^2\)
Checkpoint 6.85.
\(~y=2x^2+10x+3\)