Chapter Two

Solving Linear Equations , Inequalities and

system

2.1- Solving Solve compound inequalities with

the word “AND” & with the word “OR” .
Part Two
 Compound Inequalities
Objectives

1. Solve compound inequalities with

the word and. ( case 1)
2. Solve compound inequalities with
the word or. ( case 2)

So far, we studied simple inequalities, but now we will

study compound inequalities.
 Solving an And Inequality

Graph all real numbers that are greater than zero and less
than or equal to 4.
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

0<x<4

AND cases have the variable in-between two numbers. The graph is
therefore in-between two numbers. This is the INTERSECTION of the
Individual Solutions.
solution set of the compound inequality will include all numbers that satisfy
both inequalities
 Solving an And Inequality

Example 1 solve : x < 4 and x ≥ 2

a) Graph x < 4
o
2 3 4
b) Graph x ≥ 2
●
2 3 4
c) Combine the graphs

Answer : 2 ≤ X < 4
 Solving an And Inequality
When solving for variables in the “and” case, you isolate the variable in-between
the inequality symbols. IMPORTANT – inverse operations apply to the WHOLE
THING (that means both sides!).
Example2 - Solve the compound inequality: -2 < 3x – 8 < 10

-2 < 3x – 8 < 10 Original Problem

-2 + 8 < 3x – 8 + 8 < 10 + 8 Add 8 This is an

And inq.
6 < 3x < 18 Simplify

6 3 𝑥 18 Divide 3
≤ ≤
3 3 3
6 3 x 18
 
3 3 3 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
2<x<6
 Solving an And Inequality

Example – 3

Solve the compound inequality:`

Step 1 Solve each inequality individually.

Cont. Example – 3 - AND Case
Solve the compound inequality:

Step 2

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Answer : -1 ≤ X < 3

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Solving an And Inequality
Example – 4
Solve the compound inequality:
and

Step 2 Find the intersection of the two graphs.

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

There is no INTERSECTION. No Solution

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
 Solving an Or Inequality

Graph all real numbers that are less than –1 OR

greater than 2.
-2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

x < -1 or x > 2

OR cases have TWO separate answers and are solved

(and graphed) separately (but on the same number line).
The graph of this case goes in opposite directions.
(This is the Union of the solutions to either inequality)
 Solving an Or Inequality
Example 1 : x < 2 or x ≥ 4

a) Graph x < 2
o
2 3 4
b) Graph x ≥ 4
●
2 3 4

c) Combine the graphs

Answer : x < 2 or x ≥ 4
 Solving an Or Inequality
Example 2

Solve the compound inequality:

Step 1 Solve each inequality individually.

Cont. Example 2

Step 2 To graph these two inequalities

–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10

–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10

Answer : x < -2 or x > 5

–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10
 Solving an Or Inequality
Example 3
Solve the compound inequality:

Step 1 Solve each inequality in the compound

inequality individually.

Don’t forget
to change
the signs
Cont. Example 3

Step 2 - To graph these two inequalities

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

–5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5

Answer : x ≤ 1 or x > -3

–10 –8 –6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10
By taking the union, we obtain every real number as a solution set.
Important note

Compound Inequalities – Multiplying or

Dividing by negative numbers
When you divide or multiply by a negative number, you
must reverse BOTH signs if an “and” Case. In the “or”
inequalities, only reverse it if it applies to the individual
inequality.

Ex1. -2 < -x < 5 2>x>-

5
Ex2. -2 < -2 – x < 1 -3 < x < 0.
 Match the Compound Inequality
with the Correct Graph
1. 0<x+2<5
-8 -6 -4

2. -4 + a > 1 OR -4 + a < -3

3. -3 < x + 2 < 3 -4 -2 0

4. 2<x+2<5
-2 0 2

5. x + 2 < -6 OR x + 2 > -2
1 3 5

0 2 4
 Which inequalities describe the
following graph?
o o
-3 -2 -1
1. y > -3 or y < -1
2. y > -3 and y < -1
3. y ≤ -3 or y ≥ -1
4. y ≥ -3 and y ≤ -1

Answer Now
 Which is equivalent to
-3 < y < 5?
1. y > -3 or y < 5
2. y > -3 and y < 5
3. y < -3 or y > 5
4. y < -3 and y > 5

Answer Now
 Which is equivalent to
x > -5 and x ≤ 1?
1. -5 < x ≤ 1
2. -5 > x ≥ 1
3. -5 > x ≤ 1
4. -5 < x ≥ 1

Answer Now