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This lesson will work with compound inequalities as well as how to solve them and interpret the solutions.

Catch-Up and Review

Challenge

Going Home from the Beach

Vincenzo is getting ready to drive home from vacation at the beach. He is sure that if he drives at miles per hour, he will be home in to minutes.

a How far can Vincenzo's house be from the beach?
b Supposing Vincenzo's assumption is correct, let be an invalid distance from his house to the beach. How could the possible values of be written?
Explore

Combining Inequalities

Consider the following inequalities.
To solve each inequality for the Properties of Inequalities need to be used. To solve inequality number one, should be subtracted from both sides first.
Solve for
The solution set of this inequality can be graphed by marking every number to the left of not including
First Inequality
Similarly, to solve the second inequality, needs to be added to both sides of the inequality.
Solve for
Therefore, the solution set of this inequality are the numbers to the right of in a number line, not including
Second Inequality
What would happen if these two inequalities were combined? For combined inequalities, might solve both inequalities at the same time or either inequality at any given time. How would these solution sets look? These kinds of combined inequalities arise in all kinds of situations. Because of this, it is important to study them.
Discussion

Compound Inequalities

Combining two or more inequalities with the word and or or yields what is called a compound inequality.

Compound Inequality Is Read As
or is less than or greater than
and is greater than and less than or equal to
Compound inequalities using the word and are commonly written without using this word. Consider the following example.
The first inequality can be rewritten as because the statement is greater than is equivalent to is less than With this change, the inequality can be rewritten as follows.
It is important to note that compound inequalities written with the variable in the middle, similar to the example above, are always compound inequalities written with and.
Method

Solving a Compound Inequality

Solving a compound inequality is done by first separating each individual inequality. Then, each inequality is solved one at a time in the regular fashion. Lastly, the solution sets are combined. As an example, consider the following compound inequality.
This inequality will be solved to illustrate each step of this method.
1
Separate the Compound Inequality
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Before a compound inequality can be solved, each individual inequality has to be identified.
2
Solve the Individual Inequalities
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The individual inequalities can now be solved one at a time. For the example used, will be solved first, using inverse operations.
The solution set is Next is which is solved in a similar manner.
The solution set of the second inequality is all values of that satisfy
3
Combine the Solution Sets
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Lastly, combining the two solution sets yields the solution set of the compound inequality. Here, the compound inequality was written in the condensed form of an and inequality. Therefore, the two solution sets can written separately with the word and, or they can be combined as follows.
Concept

Solution Set of a Compound Inequality

The solution set of a compound inequality consists of the solution sets of the individual inequalities. For compound inequalities with or, a solution of either individual inequality is a solution of the compound inequality. Consider the following compound inequality.
The graph of this compound inequality is the union of the graphs of the individual inequalities. These graphs are recognized by the fact that they continue infinitely in either direction.
A solution of a compound inequality with and, however, must be a solution of both individual inequalities. Consider the following inequality.
The graph of the compound inequality is the intersection of the graphs of the individual inequalities.
Unlike the graphs of compound inequalities with or, compound inequalities written with and do not always extend infinitely.
Example

The Speed of a Tractor

Kevin's class is having a work experience internship this week. He is working with a farmer to test the speed of an autonomous tractor in a field.

Tractor on a field

In the first test, the tractor started from a point miles away from the barn. After a half hour, the tractor was at least miles away from the barn. In the next test, the tractor started at a point miles away from the barn. When it stopped minutes later, it was less than miles from the barn.

a Considering the test results, what are the possible speeds in miles per hour at which the tractor could drive? Round the answer to one decimal place.
b Graph the possible speeds on a number line.

Answer

a
b
Solution set compound inequality

Hint

a Write the given information as inequalities.
b Graph the individual inequalities, then combine the graphs.

Solution

a To find the possible speeds, both test needs to be considered. It is given that in the first test, the tractor started miles away from the barn and stopped at least miles away from the barn after half an hour. This means that the sum of the distance traveled and the starting distance of miles has to be greater than or equal to miles.
To find the distance traveled, a modification of the speed formula will be used.
In this formula, is the speed or rate, is the distance traveled, and is the time it took to travel the distance. To find the distance, needs to be the isolated variable.
Therefore, this formula can be substituted for the distance traveled in the written inequality.
Since the speed is asked in miles per hour and the tractor drove for half an hour, the given time is written as
Likewise in the second test, it is given that the tractor starts from miles away and ends less than miles away from the barn after minutes. This means that the sum of the distance traveled and miles has to be less than miles.
Then, the formula for the distance traveled can be substituted in this inequality as well.
In this case minutes can be converted to hours using a conversion factor. minutes are equal to hours.
Since the possible values for the speed are the values of that satisfy both inequalities, these inequalities can be combined as a compound inequality with and.
To solve this compound inequality, the properties of inequalities will be used. To solve the inequality on the left, first will be subtracted from both sides of the inequality.
Solve for
Similarly, to solve the inequality on the right, will be subtracted from both sides of the inequality.
Solve for
The compound inequality can be written with the found solutions.
It should be noted that some compound inequalities that are written with and can be rewritten as follows.
This means that the possible speeds of the tractor are greater than or equal to miles per hour and less than miles per hour.
b To graph the solution set of the compound inequality, it is useful to graph the solution set of each individual inequality first. Since the inequality is non-strict, the solution set of the inequality is made of all the numbers to the right of including This is shown by using a closed circle at
Solution set left inequality

On this case, since the inequality is strict, the solution set of the inequality is made of the numbers to the left of Since is not included in the solution set, an open circle is used instead.

Solution set right inequality

Since the compound inequality is written with and, its solution set is made of the numbers that satisfy both inequalities.

Solution set compound inequality
Example

Securing the Area Around a Volcano

Ignacio is interning at the local disaster preparedness center. He is using a simulator to help to secure the unsafe area near a volcano that is about to erupt. He is in charge of marking safe distances to the east and the west of the volcano. He initially marked the safe distance with flags, one miles to the east of the base of the volcano and the other miles to the west.

Area around a volcano

As time passes and data comes in, Ignacio realizes that his estimates were wrong. He notes that the flag to the west is less than half the distance away from the volcano that it should be. On the other hand, he calculates that the eastern flag covers less than two thirds of the actual necessary safe distance from the volcano.

a Consider that the distance to the east of the volcano are represented by positive numbers and that distances to the west are represented by negative numbers. Write a compound inequality that describes the safe distances from the volcano.
b Graph these lengths on a number line.

Answer

a
b
Solution set compound inequality

Hint

a Rewrite the given information as individual inequalities.
b Graph the individual inequalities, then combine the graphs.

Solution

a To write the safe distance as a compound inequality, the individual inequalities must first be identified. It is given that the western flag is less than half the actual necessary safe distance. This can be written as an inequality, with representing the total safe distance.
Since the distance is to the west of the volcano, it is written as a negative number. Also, since this value is negative, further distances from the volcano are less than Therefore, the inequality has to be rewritten as follows.
Similarly, it is given that the eastern flag is less than two thirds of the safe distance at miles from the volcano. This can also be written as an inequality. Since the distances to the east are written with positive numbers, the inequality does not need to be modified.
These inequalities can be solved by using the Properties of Inequalities, a similar fashion to solving an equation. The first inequality is solved by multiplying by
Simplify
The safe distance to the west is less than miles, or more than miles. The second inequality can be solved by multiplying both sides by the reciprocal of
Simplify
The safe distance to the east is more than miles. Since the safe distance can be either more than miles west or more than miles east, the compound inequality is written with or.
b To graph the solution set of a compound inequality, it is convenient to first graph each individual inequality. First, the solution set of is made of all the numbers to the left of not including because the inequality is strict.
Solution set left inequality

Similarly, the graph of the solution set of is made of every number to the right of not including

Solution set right inequality

Finally, since it is written with or, the graph of the compound inequality is the combination of both solution sets and does not need to be adjusted or limited.

Solution set compound inequality
Example

Eat or Save Cookies?

Tearrik is spending his week of work experience at a local bakery. On his first day, he bought cookies at a discount. He decides to eat 5 cookies a day until they are all gone. Tearrik is also allowed to bring home cookies per day, which he gives to his brother. Tearrik's brother decides that he will not eat his cookies until he has at least saved up.

a Let be the number of days that have passed since Tearrik bought his cookies. Write a compound inequality to find on which days both brothers will eat cookies together.
b Graph the solution set of the inequality set in Part A.

Answer

a
b
Solution set compound inequality

Hint

a Rewrite the given information as individual inequalities.
b Graph the individual inequalities, then combine the graphs.

Solution

a To find on which days both brothers will eat cookies together, it is important to identify when each brother will eat cookies. Tearrik starts with cookies and he eats cookies every day until he reaches cookies. This situation can be written as an inequality.
Since Tearrik will eat cookies throughout this time, the values of are the possible numbers of days in which he eats cookies. On the other hand, Tearrik's brother will save cookies every day until he has at least cookies. Then, Tearrik's brother will start eating his cookies.
For both to eat cookies, the value must satisfy both inequalities at the same time. This kind of compound inequality is written with and.
To solve this compound inequality, both inequalities must be solved. First, to solve the inequality on the left, will be subtracted from both sides of the inequality.
Solve for
This means that Terrik will eat his cookies over the first days. Since this inequality is strict, Tearrik will not reach the day before he finishes his cookies. Then, the second inequality is solved by dividing both sides of the inequality by
This means that Terrik's brother will save his cookies for days. Since the inequality is non-strict, he will start eating his cookies on the day. Now the compound inequality can be rewritten using the solutions.
This means that Tearrik will be able to eat cookies for days, while his brother will save his cookies for days before eating any of them. Therefore, they will not eat any cookies on the same day.
b To graph the solution set of the compound inequality, first it is necessary to graph the solution set of each individual inequality. The solution set of the inequality are the numbers less than not including Since is not included in the solution set, it is marked with an open circle.
Solution set left inequality

Similarly, the solution set of the inequality is made of the numbers greater than or equal to Since thi inequality is not strict, the circle is closed.

Solution set right inequality

The solution set of the compound inequality is made of the numbers that satisfy both inequalities at the same time. Since there are no such numbers, the compound inequality has no solution.

Solution set compound inequality

This confirms that the brothers will not eat cookies together.

Example

Different Thermometers for Different Temperatures

For his internship, Davontay is working in a research lab. He is researching what tools are used to measure really low and really high temperatures. He found out that a thermocouple thermometer can measure temperatures lower than while a pyrometer thermometer can measure temperatures greater than or equal to

little rainbow

To help find these temperatures in degrees Celsius, the relationships between the different temperature scales are shown in the following table. It should be noted that refers to a temperature in degrees Celsius, is the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit, and refers to kelvins.

Fahrenheit Kelvin
a What range of temperatures, in degrees Celsius, can be covered by using either thermometer?
b Graph the temperature range from Part A in a number line.

Answer

a
b
Solution Set Compound Inequality

Hint

a Rewrite the given information as inequalities.
b Graph the individual inequalities, then combine the graphs.

Solution

a To find the range of temperatures in degrees Celsius that can be covered by the thermometers, first it is needed to write the given information as inequalities. It is given that a thermocouple can measure temperatures that are lower than This can be written as an inequality, with as the temperature in degrees Fahrenheit.
Since the temperature is needed in degrees Celsius, the conversion formula will be substituted for in the inequality above. Let be the temperature in degrees Celsius.
On the other hand, it is given that a pyrometer can measure temperatures as low as This can be written as an inequality, using as the temperature in kelvins. It should be noted that kelvins are not degrees since it is an absolute scale.
Substituting the conversion formula from the given table, the inequality can be rewritten in terms of degrees Celsius
Since the question asks to describe the temperature range that both thermometers can measure, if either one can be used, the compound inequality is written with or.
Now, to solve this compound inequality, each inequality will be solved individually using the Properties of Inequalities. To solve the inequality on the left, first subtract from both sides of the inequality.
Solve for
A similar process can be done to the inequality on the right.
Therefore, the compound inequality can be rewritten with these solutions.
b To graph the temperature range from Part A, first the solution set of each individual inequality should be graphed. The solution set of the inequality is made of all the numbers to the left of not including
Solution Set Left Inequality

Similarly, the solution set of the inequality is made of every point to the right of including

Solution Set Right Inequality

Since the inequality is written with or, the solution set of the compound inequality is made of the numbers that satisfy either inequality. By combining the graphs it can be noted that every number is a solution to the compound inequality.

Solution Set Compound Inequality

This means that any temperature can be measured using either of the thermometers.

Example

Saving for a Car

Diego is helping at a local car dealership for his work experience. After spending time at the dealership, he decides to start saving money to buy a car. His father told him that he would double the amount of money that Diego saves, starting from now. Also, Diego will receive extra dollars from his uncle to help buy the car when he finishes saving.

When looking for prices, Diego notices that most of the cars he likes range from thousand dollars to thousand dollars.

a How could the situation be written as a compound inequality?
b How much does Diego need to save to afford the car?
c Graph the inequality set in Part B.