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[email protected] GENERAL
MATHEMATICS
MODULE WEEK 5
PREPARED BY: JOHN RYU SAMANTELA, LPT
RATIONAL INEQUALITIES
Definition 1.1
An inequality shows a comparison between different quantities or expressions using the
symbols ≠, ≤, <, >, ≥.
If the quantities being compared include at least one rational expression, then the inequality
is said to be a rational inequality.
Definition 1.2
A rational inequality uses any of the symbols ≠, ≤, <, >, ≥, and contains at least one rational
expression.
5 y 5 y
The equation = is an example of a rational equation while < rational inequality.
y+ 2 3 y+ 2 3
When solving inequalities, it is best to start by manipulating the expressions such that the
left-hand side is rewritten as a single rational expression and the right-hand side becomes
zero. Once this is accomplished, we proceed by finding critical values.
Definition 1.3
A critical value of a rational expression is a number that makes the expression undefined or
equal to zero.
If the said rational expression is part of an inequality, then this value is also known as the
critical value of the inequality.
Example 1 How do we solve rational inequalities? Let us solve the rational inequality
3x
≥1 .
x+1
Solution:
Step 1: Rewrite the inequality such that the left-hand side is written as a single rational
expression and the right-hand side becomes zero.
3x
≥1
x+1
3x
−1=0
x+1
3 x −(x +1)
≥0
x +1
3 x−x−1 ¿ ¿ ≥ 0
x +1
2 x−1
≥0
x+1
Step 2: Factor the numerator and the denominator.
Both the numerators and denominators are completely factored.
Step 3: Find the critical values of the rational expression on the left-hand side of the
inequality.
This can be done by writing the numerator and the denominator separately, equating
each of them to zero, and solving the resulting equations.
Numerator:
2 x−1=0
2 x=1
1
x=
2
Denominator:
x +1=0
x=−1
1
The critical values are −1and . The roots of the numerator make the rational
2
expression equal to 0. Thus, these values must be included in the final solution set. The
root of the denominator, however, is not included because it will make the rational
expression undefined.
Step 4: Use the critical values as bounds to divide the set of real numbers into intervals.
Remember the following guidelines:
a. The symbols −∞ and ∞ always come with parentheses because they cannot
possibly be included in any interval of real numbers.
b. If the inequality involves the strict inequality symbols >, ≠, or <, all intervals
should be enclosed in parentheses because their endpoints cannot possibly
become part of the solution set.
c. If the inequality involves the non-strict inequality symbols ≥ or ≤, the roots of
symbols 𝑥] or [𝑥, while the roots of the denominator should be excluded using
the numerator should be included in their respective intervals using the
the symbols 𝑥) or (𝑥.
The number line helps you to divide the set of real numbers into intervals. Use a shaded
circle if the value is included in the solution set, and a hollow circle if not. (The number
line below is not drawn to scale.)
1
-∞ -1 2
∞
1
As indicated by the above guidelines, we use the critical values −1and to divide the set of
2
(
real numbers into intervals (−∞ ,−1 ) , −1, )( )
1 1
, ,∞ .
2 2
Step 5: Construct a table of signs for the rational inequality. The top row of the table should
contain the intervals from the previous step, while the leftmost column should contain
the test point, the factors of the numerator, and the factors of the denominator. Add
another row at the bottom for the entries that correspond to the entire rational
expression.
(−∞ ,−1 ) (−1 , 12 ) ( 12 , ∞ )
Test Point
2 x−1
x +1
2 x−1
x+1
Step 6: To fill an entry on the table, choose a convenient number from the corresponding
interval on top (do not choose a critical value). Substitute this number into the
expression on the left, then simplify. Take the sign of the answer you obtained (the
actual value does not matter) and write it on the table.
(−∞ ,−1 ) (−1 , 12 ) ( 12 , ∞ )
Test Point x=−2 x=0 x=1
2 x−1 −¿ −¿ +¿
x +1 −¿ +¿ +¿
2 x−1
x+1
Step 7: Determine the sign of the entire rational expression for each interval by “multiplying”
the signs in each column. Write the answers in the last row of the table.
(−∞ ,−1 ) (−1 , 12 ) ( 12 , ∞ )
Test Point x=−2 x=0 x=1
2 x−1 −¿ −¿ +¿
x +1 −¿ +¿ +¿
2 x−1
+¿ −¿ +¿
x+1
ACTIVITY 1
Directions: Solve for x in following rational inequalities. Show all the steps in solving rational
inequalities.
2
x −x−6
1. Solve for x in the rational inequality ≤0.
x +1
2 x−5
2. Solve for x in the rational inequality ≥2.
x −5
SOLVING REAL – LIFE PROBLEMS INVOLVING RATIONAL INEQUALITIES
LET’S PRACTICE!
A drug is injected into the bloodstream of a patient through his arm.
bloodstream 𝑡 hours after the injection is approximately given by
The concentration (in milligrams per liter) of the drug in the
0.14 t
c= 2 . When will the concentration of the drug in the arm be 0.02
t +12
milligram per milliliter or greater?
Solution:
Step 1: Set up working inequality.
0.14 t
2
≥ 0.02
t +12
Step 2: Rewrite the inequality such that the left-hand side of the inequality is a single rational
expression, and its right-hand side becomes zero.
0.14 t
2
≥ 0.02
t +12
0.14 t
2
−0.02 ≥ 0
t +12
2
0.14 t−0.02(t +12)
≥0
t 2 +12
2
0.14 t−0.02 t −0.24
2
≥0
t +12
2
−0.02 t +0.14 t−0.24
2
≥0
t +12
2
−2t +14 t−24
2
≥0
t +12
2
2t −14 t +24
2
≤0
t +12
Step 3: Factor the numerator and the denominator.
2
2t −14 t +24
2
≤0
t +12
(t¿ ¿2−7 t+12)
2 ≤0¿
t 2+12
2(t−3)(t−4)
≤0
t 2 +12
(t−3)(t−4)
≤0
t 2 +12
The factor 2 “disappeared” in the last inequality because we divided both sides by 2. This
allows us to cancel the 2 on the left-hand side, while nothing changes on the right-hand side
because 0 divided by 2 is still 0.
Step 4: Find the critical values of the rational expression on the left-hand side of the
inequality. This can be done by writing the numerator and the denominator
separately, equating each of them to zero, and solving the resulting equations.
Numerator:
t−3=0
t=3
t−4=0
t=4
Denominator: No critical value can be obtained in the denominator since the root of t 2+12=0
The critical values are 3 and 4.
Step 5: Use the critical values as bounds to divide the set of real numbers into intervals. (The
number line below is not drawn to scale.)
-∞ 3 4 ∞
The values x=3and x=4are included in the solution set because it makes the fraction zero.
We use the critical values 3 and 4 to divide the set of real numbers into the intervals,
(−∞ , 3 , 4 , ∞ )
Step 6: Construct a table of signs for the rational inequality.
(−∞ , 3 ) (3 , 4 ) (4 , ∞)
Test Point t=0 t=3.5 t=5
(t−3) −¿ +¿ +¿
(t−4) −¿ −¿ +¿
2
t +12 +¿ +¿ +¿
(t−3)(t−4)
+¿ −¿ +¿
t 2 +12
ACTIVITY 2
A drug is injected into the bloodstream of a patient through his arm.
When will the concentration of the drug in the arm be 0.02 milligram
per milliliter or greater if the concentration (in milligrams per liter) of
the drug in the bloodstream t hours after the injection is
.
0.08 t
approximately given by c= 2
t +3
SOLVING REAL – LIFE PROBLEMS INVOLVING RATIONAL EQUATION
Rational equations are useful in many real-life situations involving uniform motion, work,
purchasing, and much more. Let us take a look at how rational equations can be used to
represent and analyze different situations, both in theory and in practice.
LET’S PRACTICE!
Paulo drove 75 km from Tanauan, Batangas to Lucban, Quezon to visit
his cousins. His average speed for the trip to Lucban was 10 km/h
faster than on the way back to Tanauan, and as a result, his return trip
took 2 hours longer. What is his average speed for the trip to Lucban?
Solution:
Step 1: Make representation.
Let 𝑥 be Paulo’s average speed for his trip to Lucban (¿ km/h). This speed is 10 km/h
faster than his average speed for the return trip, which can be written as x−10.
Step 2: Tabulate the quantities involved based on the given information and relevant
formulas. In this case, we make use of the fact that speed is equal to distance
traveled over time.
Average
Distance Time
DESTINATION speed
(in km) (in hours)
(in km/h)
75
LUCBAN x 75
x
75
TANAUAN x−10 75
x−10
Step 3: Set up the working equation.
The problem states that the return trip to Tanauan took 2 hours longer than the trip to
Lucban. In other words, the difference between the two quantities is 2. Using the
values in our table, we can form the following working equation:
75 75
− =2
x−10 x
Step 4: Find the LCD of the rational expressions.
The denominators are x and x−10 . The LCD is (x )(x−10).
Step 5: Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD to clear the denominators, then solve
for the unknown variable.
75 75
− =2
x−10 x
( x ) ( x −10 ) [ 75
−
x−10 x
75
]
¿ (2)(x)(x−10)
( x ) (75 )−( x−10 )( 75 )= ( 2 x ) ( x−10 )
2
75 x−75 x+ 750=2 x −20 x
750=¿ 2 x 2−20 x
2
2 x −20 x−750=0
2
x −10 x−375=0
( x−25 )( x +15 )=0
x−25=0 x +15=0
x=25 x=−15
Average speed is always a positive quantity, so we reject x=−15 . The only solution we will
consider is x=25 .
Step 6: Verify your answer by substituting x=25 to the original equation. Then, simplify.
75 75
− =2
x−10 x
75 75
− =2
25−10 25
75 75
− =2
15 25
5−3=2
2=2
ACTIVITY 3
Directions: Solve the following real – life problem involving rational equation.
A sports car travel 150 kilometers . At the same time, another
sports car travels 200 kilometers , going 30 kilometers per hour
faster than the first car. What is the rate of each car?
