Department of Education

National Capital Region

Schools Division of Parañaque City
Self-Learning Modules
Mathematics 9 Quarter 1 Week 5

QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES

Learning Competency
The learner illustrates quadratic inequalities, solves quadratic inequalities, and
solves problems involving quadratic inequalities.
(M9AL-If-1/M9AL-If-2/M9Al-If-g-1)

Objectives
The learner (a) illustrates quadratic inequalities, (b) solves quadratic
inequalities, (c) graphs the solution set on the number- line, and (d) solves
problems involving quadratic inequalities.

Let’s Recall
What Makes Me True?
A. Find the solution/s of the following mathematical sentences and graph them on
the number line.
1) 2𝑥 + 5 < 3

2) −2 < 𝑥 − 3 < 1

3) −1 ≤ 2𝑥 − 1 ≤ 1

B. Translate each of the given verbal statement below into algebraic sentence.
1) The sum of the squares of two numbers is less than 50.
2) The square of the quantity (𝑥 − 7) plus the square of the quantity (𝑥 + 7) is at
most 49.
3) The sum of a number and its reciprocal is more than 100.

Let’s Understand
A quadratic inequality is an equality that contains a polynomial of degree 2
and can be written in any of the following forms:

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 > 0 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 ≥ 0
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 < 0 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 ≤ 0
where 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐 are real numbers and 𝑎 is not zero.

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Based on these descriptions, these are examples of quadratic inequality.
1) 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1 > 0 3) 3𝑦 3 + 𝑦 ≥ 0
2) 44𝑐 2 < 1 4) 𝑣(𝑣 + 5) ≤ 10

In solving quadratic inequality, we have to find the roots of its corresponding

equality. These points when plotted on the number-line separate the set of points into
two or three intervals. An interval is part of the solution of the inequality if a number in
that interval makes the inequality true. Consider the different examples below.
Examples:
1) Find the solution set of 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 < 0.
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 < 0 Given
2
𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 12 = 0 Replace the inequality symbol by an
equal sign
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 4) = 0 Factor the left side of the equation
𝑥 − 3 = 0 or 𝑥 − 4 = 0 Zero Product Property
𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥=4 Solve for the unknown
Plot the points on the number lines to see to different intervals that we have.

• •

Based on the figure, the intervals are 𝑥 < 3, 3 < 𝑥 < 4, and 𝑥 > 4. Now, test a
number from each interval against the inequality. Let us use test point method.
INTERVALS 𝒙−𝟑 𝒙– 𝟒 PRODUCT
𝑥<3 0 − 3 = −3 0 − 4 = −4 (−)(−) = (+)
3<𝑥<4 3.5 − 3 = 0.5 3.5 − 4 = −0.5 (+)(−) = (−)
𝑥>4 5−3= 2 5−4= 1 (+)(+) = (+)
Since the given inequality is less than zero, we are going to consider the
negative (−) product only. Therefore, the solution set is 𝟑 < 𝒙 < 𝟒. Its graph is

• •
Note that the hollow circle means that 3 and 4 are not part of the solution set.
2) Solve: 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 ≥ 0
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 ≥ 0 Given
2
𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 8 = 0 Replace the inequality symbol by an equality
sign.
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 2) = 0 Factor the left side of the equation.
𝑥 − 4 = 0 or 𝑥 + 2 = 0 Zero Product Property
𝑥 = 4 or 𝑥 = −2 Solve for the unknown
Plot the points on the number line then identify the different intervals based on
the graph.

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• •
Based on this, the intervals are: 𝑥 < −2, −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4, and 𝑥 ≥ 4. Now, test a
point on these intervals against the inequality.
𝒙−𝟒 𝒙+𝟐 PRODUCT
𝑥 ≤ −2 −3 − 4 = −7 −3 + 2 = −1 (−)(−) = (+)
−2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 4 0 − 4 = −4 0+2= 2 (−)(+) = (−)
𝑥≥4 5−4= 1 5+2= 7 (+)(+) = (+)
Based on this table and since the given inequality is greater than or equal to
zero, then the solution set would be, 𝑥 ≤ −2 ∪ 𝑥 ≥ 4. Graphically speaking, this is

• •
Note that the shaded circle means that −2 and 4 are part of the solution set.

SOLVING QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES THAT CANNOT BE FACTORED

1. Solve 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 6 > 0
Solution:
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 6 > 0 Given
2
𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 6 = 0 Replace the inequality symbol by the equal sign
Since this quadratic equation cannot be solved by factoring, we are
going to use another method. This time we are going to use the quadratic
formula.
−2±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= Quadratic formula
2𝑎
𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −4, 𝑐 = −6 Values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐
−(−4)±√(−4)2 −4(1)(−6)
𝑥= Substitute these values into Quadratic
2(1)
Formula
4±√16+24
𝑥= Carry out the operations inside the radical
2
symbol
4±√40
𝑥= Simplify
2
4±2√10
𝑥= Simplify the radical
2
𝑥 = 2 ± √10 Reduce to lowest term
𝑥1 = 5.16 = 2 + √10 Get the approximate value for plotting on
the number-line
𝑥2 = −1.16 = 2 − √10
2 − √10 2 + √10

Again plot these points on the number-line

• •

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Based on this graph, the intervals are: 𝑥 < 2 − √10, 2 − √10 < 𝑥 < 2 + √10,
and 𝑥 > 2 + √10. Test a point on these intervals.
PRODUCT
INTERVALS 𝒙 − 𝟓. 𝟏𝟔 𝒙 + 𝟏. 𝟏𝟔
(SIGN ONLY)
x < 2 − √10 −2 − 5.16 = −7.16 −2 + 1.6 = −0. 4 (−)(−) = (+)
2 − √10 < 𝑥 < 2 + √10 0 − 5.16 = −5.16 0 + 1.16 = 1.16 (−)(+) = (−)
𝑥 > 2 + √10 6 − 5.16 = 0.84 6 + 1.16 = 7.16 (+)(+) = (+)
Since the given inequality is greater than 0, then based on the table, the correct
intervals are 𝑥 < 2 − √10 and 𝑥 > 2 + √10. The solution set would be 𝒙 < 2 − √𝟏𝟎 ∪
𝟐 + √𝟏𝟎. The graph of this is shown below.

• •
Note that the hollow circles on both ends of the rays signify that these points
are not part of the solution set.

Now let us summarize the process in solving for the solution set of a given
quadratic inequality.

SOLVING QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES

1) Write the inequality with 0 on the right side.
2) Replace the inequality symbol by equal sign.
3) Solve the quadratic equation using any method.
4) Plot the roots on the number-line.
5) Get the intervals.
6) Choose a testing point for each interval and test
7) Use the rules for multiplying signed numbers to determine which regions
satisfy the original inequality.
8) Draw the solution set.

Now that you know how to solve quadratic inequalities, algebraically and
graphically, let us discuss how to solve word problems involving quadratic inequalities.
Take note of the following phrase and the corresponding inequality symbol used for a
particular phrase.

1) Less than < 4) less than or equal to <

2) More than > 5) more than or equal to >
3) At least > 6) At most <

3) The sum of two integers is 15 and its product is at most 50. Find the two pairs of
numbers that will give the least and the maximum product.
Given: Let 𝑥 be the first integers, since the sum of the two integers is 15, the
second integer must be 15 − 𝑥. The product: 𝑥𝑦 < 50

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Solution:
𝑥(15 − 𝑥) ≤ 50 The product of the two integers is at
most 50
2
15𝑥 − 𝑥 ≤ 50 Distributive Property of Multiplication
2
15𝑥 − 𝑥 − 50 ≤ 0 Addition Property of Inequality
2
(−1)(−𝑥 + 15𝑥 − 50) ≤ (0)(−1) Write in standard form
2
𝑥 − 15𝑥 + 50 ≥ 0 Multiplying both side by −1 to make
the numerical coefficient quadratic
term positive to make it easier for us
to factor the left side.
2
𝑥 − 15𝑥 + 50 = 0 Replace the inequality symbol by an
equal sign
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 10) = 0 Factor the left side
𝑥 − 5 = 0 or 𝑥 − 10 = 0 Zero Product Property
𝑥 = 5 or 𝑥 = 10 Solve for the unknown
The possible pairs of numbers are the following: 1 & 14, 2 & 13, 3 & 12,
4 & 11, 5 & 10. Notice that these pair of numbers will give us a sum of 15 and
a product less than or equal to 50. Among these pairs, the only pairs of
numbers that will give us the minimum and the maximum product are 1 & 14
and 5 & 10, respectively.
Minimum Product: 1 & 14 Maximum Product: 5 & 10
6) Mary’s daily profit 𝑃 (in pesos) for selling 𝒙 magazine subscription is determined by
the formula 𝑃 = −𝑥 2 + 80𝑥 − 1500. For what values of 𝑥 is her profit positive?
Solution: Since the profit is positive, the appropriate symbol must be > 0, because
0 is neither positive nor negative.
Therefore:
−𝑥 2 + 80𝑥 − 1500 > 0
(−1)(𝑥 2 + 80𝑥 − 1500 > 0)
𝑥 2 − 80𝑥 + 1500 < 0
𝑥 2 − 80𝑥 + 1500 = 0
(𝑥 − 30)(𝑥 − 50) = 0
𝑥 − 30 = 0 or 𝑥 − 50 = 0
𝑥 = 30 or 𝑥 = 50
Plot these on number lines
• •
The intervals are: 𝑥 < 30, 30 < 𝑥 < 50, and 𝑥 > 50. Now choose a testing point
in the given interval and test it against the given inequality.
PRODUCT
INTERVALS 𝒙 − 𝟑𝟎 𝒙 − 𝟓𝟎
(SIGN ONLY)
𝑥 < 30 29 − 30 = −1 29 − 50 = −21 (−)(−) = (+)
30 < 𝑥 < 50 40 − 30 = 10 40 − 50 = −10 (+)(−) = (−)
𝑥 > 50 60 − 30 = 30 60 − 50 = 10 (+)(+) = (+)
2
Since the inequality that we have is 𝑥 − 80𝑥 + 1500 < 0, the only interval that
gives us a negative product is 30 < x < 50. Therefore, the profit is positive if the sales

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of the magazine are greater than 30 but less than 50.

Let’s Apply
Solve and draw the solution of each of the given quadratic inequalities given below.
1) 𝑥(𝑥 + 5) ≥ 0 3) 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 10 < 0 5) 3𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 + 5 ≥ 0
2) 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 ≤ 0 4) 2x 2 − x − 6 > 0

Let’s Analyze
Write an inequality for each of the given statement below then answer the given
problem.
1) The first number is 5 more than the second number. If their product is at most
750, what should be the range of the first number?
2) A consultant advises a beauty salon owner that their monthly profit can be
modelled by 𝑃 (𝑥 ) = −50𝑥 2 + 3500𝑥 − 50000, where 𝑥 is the average cost that
a customer is charged. What range of cost that will bring in a sure profit?
3) The length of a rectangular garden is 3 less than twice its width. If its area is at
most 20 m2, what should be the range of its width?

Let’s Create
Write an inequality for each of the given statement below then answer the given
problem.
1) The longer leg of a right triangle is 7 more than the length of the shorter leg.
What must be the range of values of the shorter leg to ensure that its
hypotenuse is at most 13?
2) A rectangular garden should be twice as wide as it is long. If the fenced area is
greater than 98 m2, what can we say about the width of the garden?

Let’s Evaluate
A. Determine whether the given statement is quadratic inequality or not. Put a check
on the space provided before each number if the given is quadratic inequality,
otherwise write an X.
_____ 1) 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 10 _____4) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 = 0
_____ 2) 2𝑥 = 6 _____5) 2𝑣 2 − 10 ≤ 5𝑣
_____ 3) 6𝑥 − 12𝑥 2 < 72
B. Solve each of the quadratic inequalities below.
1) 𝑥 2 − 17𝑥 + 70 < 0 4) 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 137 > −7
2) 𝑥(𝑥 + 1) > 112 − 5𝑥 5) 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 ≤ 12
3) 2𝑥 2 ≤ 5𝑥 − 2
C. Solve each problem below.
1) A rectangular box is completely filled with dice. Each die has a volume of 1 cm3.
The length of the box is 3 cm greater than its width and its height is 5 cm.
Suppose the box holds at most 140 dice, what are the possible dimensions of
the box if these are all whole numbers?
2) The product of two numbers is at most 48. If one number is one more than five
times the other, then what can we say about the smaller number?