equate the following using the number line.
-5-(-3)
Answers
Answer:
The signs of the results of multiplication and division use the same rules, so to determine your answer, you can treat the numerator and denominator the same way you treat two different factors in multiplication. Here’s an example: solve the rational inequality,
A rational inequality
You can use these steps to find the solution for this rational inequality:
Every term in
Rational inequality x minus two divided by x minus six is less than or equal to zero.
is to the left of the inequality sign.
Neither the numerator nor the denominator factors any further.
The two zeros are x = 2 and x = –6.
Draw the two numbers on a number line.
Drawing of the zeros in an inequality on a number line.
Create a sign line for the two zeros; you can see here that the numerator is positive when x is greater than 2, and the denominator is positive when x is greater than –6.
Graphic representation of an inequality.
When determining the solution, keep in mind that the inequality calls for something less than or equal to zero.
The fraction is a negative number when you choose an x between –6 and 2. You get a negative numerator and a positive denominator, which gives a negative result. Another solution to the original inequality is the number 2. Letting x = 2, you get a numerator equal to 0, which you want because the inequality is less than or equal to zero. You can’t let the denominator be zero, though. Having a zero in the denominator isn’t allowed because no such number exists. So, the solution of
An inequality with its solution.
In interval notation, you write the solution as (–6, 2].