3 Linear Inequalities in One Unknown
3.3 Linear Inequalities in One
Unknown
Name: _________________________ Class: ___________
Objectives: 1. Learn the meaning of linear inequality in one unknown.
2. Learn the techniques of solving linear inequalities in one unknown.
3. Learn how to apply linear inequalities in one unknown to solve simple problems.
Key Points
1. If an inequality contains only one unknown with index 1, then the inequality is called a linear inequality in one unknown,
y
e.g. x > 3, 2x – 5 < 7 and 8 + 2 .
3
2. To solve a linear inequality in one unknown means to find ALL the values of the unknown which satisfy the inequality,
i.e. the solutions of the inequality.
e.g. Solve the inequality 1 – 2x > 3.
1 − 2x 3
1 − 2x − 1 3 − 1 Subtract 1 from both sides.
−2 x 2
−2 x 2
Divide both sides by 2.
−2 −2 Since –2 is negative, the inequality sign is reversed.
∴ x < –1
Solve the following inequalities and represent the solutions graphically. (1 − 9)
1. 1 − 3x > 4 ~ Example 3.3 3. 2x + 3 ≤ 17 − 5x ~ Example 3.4
Solution Solution
2. −11 + 4x ≥ −7 4. 3(2 − x) < 9x
Solution Solution
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3 Linear Inequalities in One Unknown
5. 32 − 9x ≤ 2(x + 5) x 5x
8. −7
Solution 4 6
Solution
2x + 1
6. −5
3
Solution
1 − 3x
9. 2+ x
5
Solution
x
7. 3x + 7 ~ Example 3.6
−2
Solution
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3 Linear Inequalities in One Unknown
x +1 2x
10. (a) Solve the inequality − −2 and represent the solutions graphically.
4 3
(b) Write down all the positive integers that satisfy the inequality in (a). ~ Example 3.5
Solution
(a)
(b)
11. If the sum of three consecutive odd numbers is at least 246, find the smallest possible value of
the smallest number. ~ Example 3.7
Solution
12. A minibus can carry up to 19 passengers. If the number of male passengers is twice that of
female passengers, find the maximum number of female passengers in the minibus.
Solution ~ Example 3.8
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3 Linear Inequalities in One Unknown
x
13. The profit ($P) made by a hawker on selling x apples is given by P = − 80 . At least how
2
many apples must be sold in order to make a profit?
Solution
14. In a box, there are 40 $2 coins and some $10 coins. If the total amount of these coins in the
box is less than $225, find the maximum number of $10 coins.
Solution
EYA 15. A boat travels from island A to island C via island B. The boat travels from island A to island B
at a constant speed for 2 hours. Then, it decreases the speed by 1 km/h and keeps travelling for
3 hours from island B to island C. If the fuel is enough for the boat to travel at most 350 km, is
it possible that the maximum travelling speed of the boat from island A to island B is 75 km/h?
Explain your answer. ~ Example 3.9
Solution
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