Basic Mathematics

Chapter 2
Equations, Inequalities &
Absolute Value

Norhafizah Md Sarif
Faculty of Industrial Sciences & Technology
 Description
Expected Outcomes

1. Define and solve linear equations.

2. Solve quadratic equation using four methods.
3. Solve inequalities and applied problems involving
- linear inequalities
- quadratic inequalities
- rational inequalities
4. Solve problems on equations and inequalities involving
absolute values.

Reference
1. Basic Mathematics, First Edition, UMP 2018.
 Contents

Quadratic
Linear Equations 1 2 Expression and
Equations

3 4
Inequalities Absolute Values
 Introduction

. The equations that express a relationship between two or more

1 variables are called formulas. We use formulas to solve certain
problems related to our life.

The equation may be also refer to a relation between some

2 variables that is expressed by the equality of some expressions of
their values.

Inequality is an expression of two quantities that are unequal or

3 not equivalent to one another. Inequality means disparity, not the
same and having a lack of opportunity, status or treatment.

Besides equations and inequalities, another important expression

4 is absolute value. Properties such as mass, length, volume are
always positive, therefore we need to find the absolute value of
the measure if derived from a formula.
 Linear Equations

• A linear equation in two variables describes a relationship in

which the value of a variable (say y) depends on the value of
other variable (say x).
• An equation for which the graph is a straight line.
• In this case y is called the dependent variable and x is called
independent variable.

Example Linear equation

2x
(a) 4y − 2x = 3, (b) y = x + 5 , (c) =y−8
3
 1. Slope - intercept
form
An equation of a line is 2. Point − slope
commonly written in form
slope intercept form as A line can also be written
follows in point-slope
y = mx + c Linear Equation
y − y1 = m(x −x1)
where m is the slope of where (x1;y1) is any point
the line and c is the on the line. If a line is
y − intercept of the line. written in point-slope form
it is easy for us to know
the slope of the line and
3. Standard also a point on the line.
Form
The standard form of a [Link] Form
line is written as x y
+ =1
ax + by = c a b
where a and c cannot where a and b must be
both be zero at the nonzero. (a;0) is the x-
same time and a, b and intercept and (0,b) is the
c are real numbers y-intercept.
 Slope of the Line

Definition − Slope of the Line

The slope of the line (also called the gradient of the line) is
a number that describes how steep the line is. i.e. it
measures the steepness of the line

Formula for the slope is given as follows;

y1 − y2
m= ;
x1 − x2
where (x1;y1) and (x2;y2) are two points on the line.
 Types of Slope

Positive Slope Negative Slope

The slope of the line The slope of the line is
is positive when m > positive when m < 0. If
0. If we draw a line we draw a line from left
from left to right, then to right, then the line is
the line is going up. going down

Zero Slope Undefined Slope

The slope of the line The slope of the line is
is zero when m = 0. If undefined when x1= x2.
we draw a line from A vertical line has no
left to right, the slope due to the
values of y is fixed denominator in the
for all values of x. formula m is zero.
 Example

A line passes through the points (4,3) and (− 2, − 1). Find its slope.

Solution:
The order of the points doesn't matter

2
The slope is .
3
 Example

Find the equation of line that has the following attributes.

(a) Line containing containing the points (4 , 2) and (3 , 6).
(b) Line that has a slope of 3 and passes through the point (0 , − 7)

Solution:

y1 − y2 2 − 6
(a) m = = =−4
x1 − x2 4 − 3
Next, substitute into slope intercept form

2 = − 4(4) + c → c =18
∴ y = − 4x + 18

(b) m = 3. Then, by using point slope form

y − (−7) = 3(x − 0)

∴ y = 3x − 7
 Example

Find the equation of the straight line in the standard form that satisfies the
given condition.
(a) Gradient = − 1, graph passing through (6,7)
(b) y intercept = 10, x intercept = − 5

Solution:

(a) m = − 1

Next, substitute into slope intercept form

7 = − 1(6) + c → c =13
y = − x + 13

In standard form y + x = 13
 Quadratic Equations

• Quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree.

Definition Quadratic

The general form of a quadratic equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0
where a ≠ 0 and a,b, c are constants.

• A quadratic equation has at most two different roots

 Quadratic Equations

There are four methods to find those roots.

Factoring 1 2 Completin
g
the Square
Real
Numbers

Quadratic
3 4 Graphical
Formula Method
 1. Factorisation

• Most of quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 can be expressed as a product

(px + q)(rx + s) = 0

Example

Solve x2 + 3x − 4 = 0 by using factorisation method

Solution:

Factors of x2 + 3x − 4 = 0 are

x −4
x 4
x −1

∴ (x+4) and (x−1) are factors of x2 + 3x − 4. Therefore, x = − 4 and 1.

 Example

Solve 6x2 + x − 12 = 0 using factorisation method

Solution:

Factors of 6x2 + x − 12 = 0 are

6x − 12
3x 3
2x −4

∴ (3x − 4) and (2x+3) are factors of 6x2 + x − 12

4 3
Therefore, x = and −
3 2
 Example

Solve
a) 2x2 + x − 3 = 0

b) 12x2 − 20x + 3 = 0

using factorisation method

The solutions to this example will be worked in class.

 2. Completing the Square
• Procedure for completing the square method; ax2 + bx + c = 0

Step 1 1
Divide each side of the
equation by a
b c 2 Step 2
x2 + x + = 0 c
a a Rearrange so that on the
a
right side
b c
Step 3 3 x2 +
a
x= −
a
b 2
Add on both sides
2a

x2
b
+ x+
b 2 c
= − +
b 2
4 Step 4
a 2a a 2a Factorise on the left side

b c b
x+ 2 = − + 2
2a a 2a
 Example

Solve x2 + 3x − 4 = 0 by using completing the square method

Solution:
In this case, a = 1, b = 3 and c = − 4

x2 + 3x = 4
3 2 3 2
x2 + 3x + = 4+
2 2

3 2
25
x+ =
2 4

3 5
x+ =±
2 2

Therefore, x = − 4 and 1
 Example

Solve 6x2 + x − 12 = 0 using completing the square method

Solution:
In this case, a = 6, b = 1 and c = − 12. Divide each side
of equation by a.
1
x2 + x− 2 = 0
6
1
x2 + x = 2
6
1 1 2 1 2
x2 + x + = 2+
6 12 12
1 2
289
x+ =
12 144

1 17
x+ =±
12 12
4 3
Therefore, x = and −
3 2
 3. Quadratic Formula

The roots of a quadratic equation can be found using the quadratic

formula −b± b2 −4ac
x=
2a

Example

Solve x2 + 3x − 4 = 0 by using quadratic formula

Solution:

−3± 32 − 4(1)(−4) −3± 9 + 16 −3±5

x= = = = − 4, 1
2(1) 2 2

∴ By using quadratic formula, we obtained x = − 4 and 1.

 Example

Solve 6x2 + x − 12 = 0 using formula

Solution:
In this case, a = 6, b = 1 and c = − 12.
By using quadratic formula

−1± 12 − 4(6)(−12)
x=
2(6)

−1± 1 + 288
=
12

−1±17
=
12
3 4
=− ,
2 3
 4. Graphical Method

The roots of the equation are the x − intercept of the graph. For quadratic
equation, the graph is concave up if a > 0 and concave down if a < 0.

concave up concave down

Example Solve x2 + 3x − 4 = 0 by using graph.

Solution:
Since a = 1 > 0, so the graph will be concave up .
Graph the equation could either be done by making a table of
values or by a graphing calculator.

(1,0)
(− 4,0)

The parabola cross the x-axis at x = − 4 and x = 1.

These are the roots of the quadratic equation.
Example Solve − 6x2 + x +12 = 0 by using graph.

Solution:
Since a = − 6 < 0, so the graph will be concave down .
Graph the equation could either be done by making a table of
values or by a graphing calculator.

3
4 ( ,0)
2
(− ,0)
3

4 3
The parabola cross the x-axis at x = − and x = . These
3 2
are the roots of the quadratic equation.
 Types of Roots

• From the previous section, we know that the solution (or roots) of
the following quadratic equation is

−b± b2 −4ac
x=
2a

• The nature of the roots of quadratic equation depends on the value

of b2 −4ac which is called discriminant. The nature of roots can be
categorised as follows

• Discriminant Nature of roots

b2 −4ac > 0 Two distinct real roots (Real & different)
b2 −4ac = 0 Two equal real roots (Real & equal)
b2 −4ac < 0 Two distinct complex roots (Non-real & different)
 Example

Determine the nature of the following quadratic equations

(a) 3x2 + 2x − 1 = 0, (b) 5x2 + 64 = 0, (c) x2 + 16x + 18 = 0

Solution:
(a) a = 3, b = 2, c = −1
b2 −4ac = 22 −4(3)(-1) = 4 + 12 = 16
When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and discriminant is positive,
then the root of quadratic equation are real and different.

(b) a = 5, b = 0, c= 64
b2 −4ac = 02 −4(5)(64) = − 1280
Discriminant is negative, then quadratic equation has no real roots.
 Test 1011I

If the equation x2 + p2 + 12 = (4 +2p)x have equal roots, find the value

of p .

Solution:
x2 −(4 +2p)x + (p2 + 12) = 0
Here a = 1, b = −(4 +2p), c = p2 + 12
Substitute into formula,
b2 −4ac = [−(4 +2p)]2 − 4(1)(p2 + 12)
= 16 + 16p + 4p2 − 4p2 −48
= 16p − 32
Since this equation have equal roots, b2 −4ac = 0,
16p − 32 = 0
p=2
 Inequalities

Inequalities play an important role in mathematics just like the equations.

There are four basic symbols used for inequalities;

Symbol Meaning

> Greater than

< Less than

≥ Greater than or equal

≤ Less than or equal

 Inequalities

Number Description Operations Examples

Rule 1 ❖ Adding/subtracting the ▪ 2 < 5,
same number on both If a < b, then a ± c < b ± c
sides preserve the 2 + 4 < 5 + 4 i .e 6 < 9
orientation of the 2 – 4< 5 – 4
inequalities ▪ 7 > 2,
If a > b, then a ± c > b ± c
7 + 3 > 2 + 3 i.e. 10 > 5
7–3>2 – 3
Rule 2 ❖ Multiplying/dividing the
same positive number If a < b, then ac < bc 2 ∙ 4 < 5 ∙ 4 i .e 8 < 20
on both sides preserve 2 5
If a < b, then
a b
< 4 < 4
the orientation of the c c
inequalities.
If a > b, then ac > bc 7 ∙ 4 > 3 ∙ 4 i .e 28 > 12
7 3
a b
If a > b, then > 4 > 4
c c
Number Description Operations Examples
Rule 3 ❖ Multiplying/dividing the
same negative number If a < b, then ac > bc 2 ∙ – 4 > 5 ∙ – 4 i .e – 8 > – 20
on both sides reverse the 2 5
a b >
–4 –4
orientation of the If a < b, then c > c
inequalities.
7 ∙ 4 < 3 ∙ 4 i .e 28 < 12
If a > b, then ac < bc
7 3
a b <
If a > b, then < 4 4
c c
Rule 4 ❖ If a and b both positive, 1 1
then taking the If a < b, then 1 > 1 > i.e. 0.5 > 0.2
2 5
reciprocal will reverse a b
the orientation of the 1 1 1 1
If a > b, then < 7 < 3
inequalities a b
Rule 5 ❖ If both sides of inequality
are positive and we raise 22 > 52 i .e 4 < 25
each side to the same If 0 < a < b and n > 0, n n
positive power, the n n 7 < 3
then an < bn , a < b
resulting has the same
sense as the original
 Linear Inequalities

• In mathematics, a linear inequality is an inequality which involves

both linear function and an inequality.
• Linear inequalities can be written in one of these forms;
(i) ax+b < 0

(ii) ax+b > 0

(iii) ax+b ≤ 0

(iv) ax+b ≥ 0

where a and b are constants and a ≠ 0

Remark: It is important to note that whenever the inequalities are

R
multiplied or divided by negative number on both sides, the inequality
symbol must be flipped.
 Linear Inequalities
• Inequalities can be expressed via interval notation. Interval notation use as
a shorthand for inequalities

Inequality Graph Interval notation

xa (a, )
a

xa a [a, )

xa (−, a)
a

xa a (−, a]

a xb (a, b)
a b

a xb a b
[a, b]

a xb (a, b]
a b

a xb a
[a, b)
b
 Example

Solve the following linear inequalities and write the solution in interval
notation and graph form
(a) 5 3x ≤ 3
(b) 6x 5 < x +20
2
(c) p 4 > 7 2p
3

Solution:

(a) 5 3x ≤ 3 (b) 6x 5 < x+20

3x ≤ 3 5 6x x < 20 + 5
3x ≤ 2 5x < 25
2 x<5
x≥ (Rule 3)
3

2
Interval form : [ , ∞ ) Interval form : ( ∞ , 5)
3
Graph form : Graph form :
 Quadratic Inequalities

Methods to solve a quadratic inequality. There are four in total.

However only three method are discussed here.

01 GRAPHICAL METHOD

02 NUMBER LINE

03 CONSTRUCTING TABLE

04 ALGEBRAIC
 Quadratic Inequalities
• If an equal sign in the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 is replaced by <,
>, ≤, ≥ we have a quadratic inequality. The following steps can be used to
solve the quadratic inequalities;

STEP 1 STEP 2

Set the inequality Factorise if possible.

to zero. If it is not possible,
find the roots by
using the quadratic
formula

STEP 3
Analyse the factors, STEP 4
graph the parabola or
use interval testing Write the solution
 1. Graphical Method

The graph of an inequality is the collection of all solutions of the

1
inequality.

A graph of the quadratic helps us to determine the answer to the

2
inequality.

The answer can be find graphically by seeing where the graph

3
lies above or below the x−axis.

The trick to solving a quadratic inequality is to replace the

4 inequality symbol with an equal sign and solve the resulting
equation.
 Example Solve x2 −4x > 0 by using graphical method.

Solution:
Factoring the equation
x(x−4) > 0
Replace the inequality symbol with an equal sign
x(x−4) = 0
Hence there are two roots, namely x = 4 and x = 0. Note that
a = 1 > 0. Thus the parabola opens upwards.
y = x2 −4x

Since the inequality is greater than zero, the

solution is the interval of x values when the
graph is above the x − axis. Therefore, the
answer should be positive sign, so that 0 4
x < 0 or x > 4 i.e. (−∞, 0) ∪ (4, ∞)
 2. Drawing Number Line

1 Draw an arrow according to the sign.

If the sign is >, then the arrow should be drawn to the right
2
and put the positive sign on the top of the arrow.

If the sign is <, then the arrow should be drawn to the left
3
and put the negative sign on the top of the arrow
 Example

Solve the x2 −x − 12 > 0 by drawing a number line.

Solution:
Try to factor the equation
(x −4)(x + 3) > 0
Then
x −4 > 0 or x+3 > 0
x >4 or x > −3
----- ++++++++++++++

----------------- +++++++

+ve −3 - ve 4 +ve

Since the sign is >, then we choose the positive sign. So the
solution is x < −3 or x > 4 i.e. (−∞, −3 ) ∪ (4, ∞)
 Example

Solve
2x2 −3x − 2 < 0
by drawing a number line.

The solutions to this example will be worked in class.

 [Link] Table

1 Factor the quadratic equation (if possible) to find the interval.

2 Create a table based on the interval

3 Pick/choose a test points in each interval.

 Example
Solve the x2 + 4x − 5 ≤ 0 by constructing table

Solution:

Factorise the equation yields

(x +5)(x − 1) ≤0
Hence,
x+5 ≤ 0 or x−1 ≤ 0
x ≤ − 5 or x≤ 1
Create a table and choose test points

Interval x ≤−5 − 5 ≤ x≤ 1 x≥1

Test Point −6 0 2

(x + 5)(x − 1) 7 5 7

Sign +ve - ve +ve

Since sign ≤ (negative), the solution is − 5 ≤ x ≤ 1, i.e. [−5, 1].

 Rational Inequalities
P(x)
Rational inequalities are inequalities that involve rational expressions
Q(x)
when P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials. Here are the steps required for
solving rational inequalities.

Step 1: Write the inequality so that one side is zero and other side
have only one fraction

Step 2: Find the critical values

Step 3: Draw a number line/table and indicate the critical values

Step 4: Choose the intervals that have the sign which satisfy the
inequalities
 x +1
Example Solve > 2 using a number line. Write the
3−x
solution in interval notation

Solution:
x +1
− 2 > 0.
3−x
Simplify
3x− 5
>0 → 3x − 5 >0, 3 − x > 0
3−x
5
x> , x<3
3
----- ++++++++++++++

+++++++++++ -------

-ve 5 +ve 3 -ve

3
5
The solution is < x < 3 because sign > (positive).
3
 Example

−x2 + x +6
Use test point to solve ≥ 0 and write the solution in interval
x+6
notation

Solution:
Multiply both sides with (− 1)
x2− x− 6
≤0
x+6
Factorize the numerator

(x−3)(x+ 2)
≤0
x+6
x + 6 ≠ 0 i.e. x ≠ − 6.
x − 3 = 0, x+2=0
x = 3, x=−2
Therefore, the critical numbers are − 6, − 2 and 3.
Solution:

Interval x <−6 − 6 < x≤ − 2 − 2 < x≤ 3 x≥3

Test Point −5 −1 0 4

x−3 − − − +

x+ 2 − − + +

x+6 − + + +

(x − 3)(x + 2) − + − +
x+6

x2− x− 6
Since ≤ 0, the answer is negative sign. Therefore the
x+6
solutions are x < − 6 and − 2 < x ≤ 3.
 Absolute Value

The absolute value of a number can be defined as the number distance

from 0 on the number line.

"6" is 6 away from zero, and "−6" is also 6 away from zero.
So the absolute value of 6 is 6, and the absolute value of −6 is also 6
 Absolute Value

Definition − Absolute Value

The absolute value of a real number x, written |x| is
defined by

x if x ≥ 0
|x|= ቊ .
−x if x < 0
 Example

Solve (a) |x -3|=2 , (b) | 7 − 3x | = 5. (c) |-x|=2

Solution:
(a) x−3=2 or x−3=−2
x= 5 x= 1

(b) 7 − 3x = 5 or 7− 3x = − 5
3x = 2 3x = 12
2
x= x=4
3

(c) −x = 2 or −x= −2
x= −2 x=2
 Absolute Value

The absolute value inequalities can also be represented as equivalent

statement and interval. Table given below summarizes the
representations of the basic absolute inequalities.

Absolute Value Equivalent Statements Interval Forms

|x|< b −b < x < b (−b, b)
|x|≤ b −b ≤ x ≤ b [−b, b]
|x|>b x < −b or x > b ( ∞, −b) ∪ (b, ∞)
|x| ≥ b x ≤ −b or x ≥ b ( ∞, −b] ∪ [b, ∞)
 Example

3
Solve (a) |2x +1|< 3 , (b) ≤ | 2− 2x |
2

Solution:
3
(a) − 3< 2x +1 < 3 (b) | 2− 2x |≥
2
− 3-1 < 2x < 3-1 3 3
2− 2x ≥ or 2− 2x ≤ −
2 2
− 4 < 2x < 2
−2 < x<1 1 7
− 2x ≥ − or − 2x ≤ −
2 2

1 7
x≤ or x ≥
4 4