To solve a compound inequality, first separate it into two inequalities. Determine whether the answer should be a union of sets ("or") or an intersection of sets ("and"). Then, solve both inequalities and graph.
If it is unclear whether the inequality is a union of sets or an intersection of sets, then ##test each region## to see if it satisfies the compound inequality.
Example 1: Solve and graph: 4≤2x≤8
4≤2xand2x≤8 (intersection of sets)
4≤2x
≤
2≤x
x≥2
2x≤8
≤82
x≤4
2≤x and
x≤4.
Graph:
Example 1
Example 2: Solve and graph: {x : 5≤
+5 < 6}
5≤ + 5and +5 < 6 (intersection of sets)
5≤ + 5
0≤
0≤x
+5 < 6
< 1
x < 3
0≤x and
x < 3.
Graph:
Example 2
Example 3: Solve and graph: 3(x - 2) < 9or3(x - 2) > 15 (union of sets)
3(x - 2) < 9
x - 2 < 3
x < 5
3(x - 2) > 15
x - 2 > 5
x > 7
x < 5 or
x > 7.
Graph:
Example 3
Example 4: Solve and graph: {x : 2x≤x - 3}∪{x : x < 3x - 4}
2x≤x - 3 or x < 3x - 4 (union of sets)
2x≤x - 3
x≤ - 3
x < 3x - 4
-2x < - 4
x >2
x≤ - 3 or
x > 2.
Graph:
Example 4
