EQUATIONS &

INEQUALITIES
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
OTHER TYPE OF EQUATIONS
LINEAR INEQUALITIES & ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES
 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

an equation containing a second-degree polynomial and can be

written in the standard form ax2+bx+c=0 if a≠0, where x is a
variable and a, b, and c are constants.

can be solved by factoring, square root property, completing the

square, and by using a quadratic formula.

are used in countless ways in the fields of engineering,

architecture, finance, biological science, and mathematics.
FACTORING (ZERO-PRODUCT PROPERTY)

often the easiest method of solving a quadratic equation.

Solving by factoring depends on the zero-product property,
which states that if a ∙ b = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0,
where a and b are real numbers.
 Solving quadratic equations by FACTORING

6x2 -19x - 7 = 0 Factor the left side.

(2x - 7)(3x + 1) = 0 Use the zero product property.
2x – 7 = 0
x=

3x + 1 = 0 Solution set: {-}

x=-
 SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY

another method of solving a quadratic equation in which

we isolate the x2 term and take the square root of the
number on the other side of the equals sign.

It states that if x

2
= k , then x = ± √k, where k is a non-
zero real number.
 Solving quadratic equations by SQUARE ROOT
PROPERTY

3x2 +27 = 0 Solve for x2.

x2 = -9 Apply the square root
property.
x = ± √-9
x = ± 3i Solution set: { -3i
3i }
 COMPLETING THE SQUARE

This method is based on the process of transforming the

standard quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 into the form

(x + a)2 = b, where a and b are constants.

 a method of solving quadratic equations when the

equation cannot be factored.
 Solving quadratic equations by COMPLETING THE
x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
SQUARE
With a=1, first add or subtract the constant term to the right side of the equal sign.
Then,

x2 + 4x = -1
Multiply the b term by and square it. (4) = 2 22 = 4

Add (b)2 to both sides of the equal sign and simplify the right side. So,
x2 + 4x + 4 = -1 + 4 then x2 + 4x + 4 = 3
It can now be factored as a perfect square.(x + 2)2 = 3
Use the square root property and solve. √(x + 2)2 = ± √3
x = -2 ± √3
Solution set: { -2+√3 , -2-√3 }
 THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

Written in standard form, ax2 + bx + c = 0, any quadratic

equation can be solved using the quadratic formula:

where a, b, and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0.

A highly dependable method for solving quadratic

equations.
 THE
Solving quadratic equations by using
QUADRATIC FORMULA
4x + 3 = 2x2
2x2 - 4x - 3 = 0 Make sure the equation is in
standard form.
Identify a, b, and c and use the quadratic formula a = 2, b = -4, c
= -3
 The DISCRIMINANT
the expression under the radical in the quadratic formula:
b2 - 4ac
 It tells us whether the solutions are real numbers or complex
numbers and how many solutions of each type to expect.
b2 - 4ac = 0 One rational
solution (double solution)
b2 - 4ac > 0, perfect square Two rational solutions
b2 - 4ac > 0, not a perfect square Two irrational solutions
b2 - 4ac < 0 Two complex
solutions
 The PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM

based on a right triangle and states the relationship

among the lengths of the sides as a2 + b2 = c2, where a and
b refer to the legs of a right triangle adjacent to the 90°
angle, and c refers to the hypotenuse as shown below.

c
b

a
OTHER TYPES OF
EQUATIONS
INVOLVING RATIONAL EXPONENTS
POLYNOMIAL EQUATIONS
RADICAL EQUATIONS
ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS IN QUADRATIC FORM
 EQUATIONS INVOLVING RATIONAL
EXPONENTS
Rational exponents are exponents that are fractions,
where the numerator is a power and the denominator is a
root.
𝑛
It can be written in multiple ways, a = (a ) = (a ) = √a =
𝑛

( √a )
 For example, 16 is another3 way of writing √16 ;
8 is another way of writing √8 .
Example
Evaluating a Number Raised to a Rational Exponent
1. Evaluate 8

Whether we take the root first or the power first depends on the
number. It is easy to find the cube root of 8, so rewrite 8 as (8 )2.

8 = (8 )2 = (2)2 =4

Solve the Equation Including a Variable Raised to a Rational Exponent

2. Solve the equation in which a variable is raised to a rational exponent

x = 32
The way to remove the exponent on x is by raising both sides of the
equation to a power that is the reciprocal of , which is .

x = 32 = (x ) = (32) x = (2)4 x
= 16
 POLYNOMIAL EQUATIONS
A polynomial of degree n is an expression of the type

where n is a positive integer and an,...,a0 are real

numbers and an ≠ 0.

Setting the polynomial equal to zero gives a polynomial

equation. The total number of solutions (real and complex)
to a polynomial equation is equal to the highest exponent
n.
Example

Solving a Polynomial by Factoring

1. Solve 5x = 80x
First, set the equation equal to zero. Then factor out what is
common to both terms, the GCF.
5x - 80x = 0
5x (x - 16) = 0
5x2 = 0 x 2
− 16 = 0
x=0 (x − 4)(x + 4) = 0
x − 4 = 0 or x+
4=0
x = 4 or x
= −4
Example
Solving a Polynomial by Grouping

2. Solve x3 + x2 − 9x − 9 = 0.
x2(x + 1) − 9(x + 1) = 0 Grouping
(x2 − 9)(x + 1) = 0
(x2 − 9)(x + 1) = 0

(x − 3)(x + 3)(x + 1) = 0 Difference

of Squares formula
x−3=0 or x+3=0 or x+1=0
x=3 or x = −3 or x = −1
 RADICAL EQUATIONS
an equation containing terms with a variable in the
radicand such as

√ 3x + 18 = x

√x+3=x−3

√x + 5 − √ x − 3 = 2
Example
Solving an Equation with One Radical
1. Solve √15 − 2x = x
The proposed solutions are −5 and 3
(√15 − 2x )2 = (x)2 Check:
15 − 2x = x2 √15 − 2x = x
x2 + 2x − 15 = 0
(x + 5)(x − 3) = 0 √15 − 2(-5) = -5

(x + 5) = 0 or (x − 3) = 0√15 − 2(3) = 3
x = −5 or x=3 √25 = -5
Therefore,
√9 = 3 -5 is an
5 ≠ -5
extraneous solution
3=3
and 3 is the solution.
 ABSOLUTE VALUE EQUATIONS
The absolute value of x is written as |x|. It has the following
properties:
If x ≥ 0, then |x| = x. If x
< 0, then |x| = −x.
For real numbers A and B, an equation of the form |A| = B,
with B ≥ 0, will have solutions when A = B or A = −B. If B <
0, the equation |A| = B has no solution.
An absolute value equation in the form |ax + b| = c has the
following properties:
If c < 0, |ax + b| = c has no solution.
If c = 0, |ax + b| = c has one solution.
If c > 0, |ax + b| = c has two solutions.
Example

1. Solve |6x + 4| = 8
Write two equations and solve each:
6x + 4 = 8 6x
+ 4 = −8
6x = 4
6x = −12
x = 2/3
x = −2 The solutions are

2/3 and -2.

 EQUATIONS in QUADRATIC FORM

equations with three terms.

The first term has a power other than 2.
The middle term has an exponent that is one-half the
exponent of the leading term.
The third term is a constant. Example: x 4
− 5x2 + 4 = 0
 To Solve EQUATIONS in QUADRATIC FORM

Identify the exponent on the leading term and determine whether

it is double the exponent on the middle term.

If it is, substitute a variable, such as u, for the variable portion of

the middle term.

Rewrite the equation so that it takes on the standard form of a

quadratic.

Solve using one of the usual methods for solving a quadratic.

Replace the substitution variable with the original term.
Solve the remaining equation
Example

Solve this fourth-degree equation: 3x4 − 2x2 − 1 = 0

Let u = x2
Now solve the quadratic.
3u2 − 2u − 1 = 0
(3u + 1)(u − 1) = 0
Solve each factor and replace the original term for u.
3u + 1 = 0 u−1=0
3u = −1 Theusolutions
=1 are
u = − 1/3 x2 = 1
x2 = − 1/3 ±i √1/3
x =and ± 1.
±1
x = ±i √1/3
 LINEAR INEQUALITIES AND
ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES
INTERVAL NOTATION
LINEAR INEQUALITIES
COMPOUND LINEAR INEQUALITIES OF
BOTH “AND” AND “OR” TYPE
ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES
 INTERVAL NOTATION

way of writing subsets of the real number line.

A closed interval is one that includes its endpoints. Ex: {x│-3 ≤ x ≤ 1}
An open interval is one that does not include its endpoints. Ex: {x│-3< x <1}
Parentheses represent solutions greater or less than the number. Use it to
represent infinity or negative infinity since positive and negative infinity are
not numbers in the usual sense of the word and, therefore, cannot be
“equaled.”

Brackets represent solutions that are greater than or equal to or less than or
equal to the number.
INTERVAL NOTATION
Example

1. Use interval notation to indicate all real numbers greater than

or equal to −2.
Use a bracket on the left of −2 and parentheses after infinity. [−2,∞)
The bracket indicates that −2 is included in the set with all real numbers
greater than −2 to infinity.

2. Write the interval expressing all real numbers less than or

equal to −1 or greater than or equal to 1.
The first interval must indicate all real numbers less than or equal to 1. (−∞,
−1]
The second interval must show all real numbers greater than or equal to 1. [1,
∞)
Combining these two sets, we have (−∞, −1] ∪ [1, ∞)
 PROPERTIES OF INEQUALITIES
Addition Property If a < b, then a +
c < b + c.

Multiplication Property If a < b and c > 0, then ac <

bc.

If
a < b and c < 0, then ac > bc.

These properties also apply to a ≤ b, a > b, and a ≥ b.

Example
Demonstrating the Addition Property
Illustrate the addition property for inequalities by
solving
x − 15 <
4
The addition property for inequalities states that if an
inequality exists, adding or subtracting the same
number on both sides does not change the inequality
x − 15 < 4
x − 15 + 15 < 4 + 15 Add 15 to both
sides.
x < 19
Example
Demonstrating the Multiplication Property
Illustrate the multiplication property for inequalities by
solving
−2x − 1 ≥ 5

−2x − 1 ≥ 5
−2x ≥ 6
(−1/2 )(−2x) ≥ (6)(−1/2 ) Multiply by − 1/2.
x≤−3 Reverse
the inequality.
Example

Solving an Inequality Algebraically

Solve the inequality: 13 − 7x ≥ 10x − 4.
Solving this inequality is similar to solving an equation up until
the last step.
13 − 7x ≥ 10x − 4
13 − 17x ≥ −4 Move variable terms to one
side of the inequality.
−17x ≥ −17 Isolate the variable term.
x≤1 Dividing both sides by −17
reverses the inequality.
The solution set is given by the interval (−∞, 1], or all
real numbers less than and including 1.
 COMPOUND INEQUALITIES
A compound inequality includes two inequalities in one
statement.

A statement such as 4 < x ≤ 6 means 4 < x and

x ≤ 6.

There are two ways to solve compound inequalities:

> separating them into two separate inequalities

> leaving the compound inequality intact and

performing operations on all three parts at the same time
Example
Solving a Compound Inequality
Solve the compound inequality: 3 ≤ 2x + 2 < 6
The first method is to write two separate inequalities:
3 ≤ 2x + 2 and 2x + 2 < 6.
We solve them independently.
3 ≤ 2x + 2 and 2x + 2 < 6
1 ≤ 2x
2x < 4
1/2 ≤ x
x<2
Then, we can rewrite the solution as a compound inequality, the
same way the problem began. 1/2 ≤ x < 2
In interval notation, the solution is written as [1/2 , 2 ).
Example
Solving a Compound Inequality
Solve the compound inequality: 3 ≤ 2x + 2 < 6
The second method is to leave the compound inequality intact,
and perform solving procedures on the three parts at the same
time.
3 ≤ 2x + 2 < 6
1 ≤ 2x < 4 Isolate the variable term, and
subtract 2 from all three
parts
1/2 ≤ x < 2 Divide through all three parts by 2.

We get the same solution: [1/2 , 2 )

 Example
Determining a Number within a Prescribed Distance
Describe all values x within a distance of 4 from the number 5.

The distance from x to 5 can be represented using an absolute value symbol,|x −

5|. Write the values of x that satisfy the condition as an absolute value inequality.
|x − 5| ≤ 4
We need to write two inequalities as there are always two solutions to an absolute
value equation.
x−5≤4 and x−
5≥−4
x≤9
x≥1
If the solution set is x ≤ 9 and x ≥ 1, then the solution set is an interval including
So |x − between
all real numbers 5| ≤ 4 is equivalent
and including 1 to [1,
and 9. 9] in interval
notation.
 ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES

For an algebraic expression X, and k > 0, an absolute value

inequality is an inequality of the form

|X| < k is equivalent to − k < X < k

|X| > k is equivalent to X < −k or X > k

These statements also apply to |X| ≤ k and |X| ≥ k.

Example

Solving an Absolute Value Inequality

Solve |x − 1| ≤ 3.
|x − 1| ≤ 3
−3 ≤ x − 1 ≤ 3
−2 ≤ x ≤ 4
[−2, 4]
 GRAPHS
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
OTHER TYPE OF EQUATIONS
LINEAR INEQUALITIES & ABSOLUTE VALUE INEQUALITIES
The graph of QUADRATIC EQUATIONS - PARABOLA

A parabola refers to an equation of a curve, such that each point on the

curve is equidistant from a fixed point, and a fixed line. The fixed point is
called the "focus" of the parabola, and the fixed line is called the
"directrix" of the parabola.
The general equation of a parabola is:
Y = a(x-h)2 + k (regular) or
X = a(y-k)2 +h (sideways) where (h,k) denotes the vertex.
There are four standard equations of a parabola.
y2 = 4ax
y2 = -4ax
x2 = 4ay
x2 = -4ay
The graph of QUADRATIC EQUATIONS - PARABOLA
The graph of QUADRATIC EQUATIONS - PARABOLA

To get the vertex you must first find the x-coordinate of the vertex
which is
x = - b/2a.
After you find the x-coordinate of the vertex, you will take this number
and substitute for x in the parabola equation.
Example:

x2 + x − 6 = 0 a = 1, b = 1, c = -6

To find the vertex,

x= y = x2 + x − 6
= = ()2 + () - 6
x= y=
vertex (, )
Quadratic Equations
Factor and solve the equation: x2 + x − 6 = 0.
(x − 2)(x + 3) = 0
(x − 2) = 0 (x + 3)
=0
x=2
x = −3

x The
-3 two
-2 solutions
-1 0 are1 2 and
2 −3.
3 These are the x-intercepts of the
y equation.
0 -4 -6 -6 -4 0 6

x2 + x − 6 = y
-32 +(-3) – 6 = 0

-22 +(-2) – 6 = -4 12 +(1) – 6 = -4

-12 +(-1) – 6 = -6 22 +(2) – 6 = 0

02 +(0) – 6 = -6 32 +(3) – 6 = 0

vertex: x= -1/2, y= -25/4

Polynomial Equations
Solve x3 + x2 − 9x − 9 = 0
x2(x + 1) − 9(x + 1) = 0
(x2 − 9)(x + 1) = 0

(x2 − 9)(x + 1) = 0
(x − 3)(x + 3)(x + 1) = 0
x − 3 = 0 or x + 3 = 0 or x+1=0
x = 3 or x = −3 or x = −1

The solutions are 3, -3 and −1.

These are the x-intercepts of the equation.

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
y 0 5 0 -9 -16 -15 0

x3 + x2 − 9x − 9 = y -23 + (-2)2 − 9(-2) − 9 = 0 13 + (1)2 − 9(1) − 9 = 0

-33 + (-3)2 − 9(-3) − 9 = 0 -8 + 4 + 18 − 9 = 5 1 + 1 − 9 − 9 = -16
-27 + 9 + 27 − 9 = 0
Absolute Value Inequalities

Example:
Solve the inequality |x + 12| > 2, and show
the solution graph.

|x + 12| > 2

x + 12 > 2 or
x + 12 < -2
x > -10
x < -14
-15-14-13-12-11-10-9 -8 -7 -6 -5

Open interval since -10 and -14 are not included.