Chapter 1: Problem 19
Express the solution set of the given inequality in interval notation and sketch its graph. $$ \frac{1}{3 x-2} \leq 4 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution set is \((-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \cup [\frac{3}{4}, \infty)\).
Step by step solution
01
Write the Inequality
Start by writing the inequality: \( \frac{1}{3x-2} \leq 4 \). We need to find the values of \( x \) that satisfy this inequality.
02
Reorganize the Inequality
To isolate the fraction, we first subtract 4 from both sides: \( \frac{1}{3x-2} - 4 \leq 0 \). We can express the left side with a common denominator: \( \frac{1 - 4(3x-2)}{3x-2} \leq 0 \), which simplifies to: \( \frac{1 - 12x + 8}{3x-2} \leq 0 \).
03
Simplify the Inequality
Simplify the expression: \( \frac{9 - 12x}{3x-2} \leq 0 \). This will help us find the critical values where the expression equals zero or is undefined.
04
Identify Critical Points
Set the numerator to zero: \( 9 - 12x = 0 \). Solving for \( x \) gives \( x = \frac{3}{4} \). Set the denominator to zero: \( 3x - 2 = 0 \). Solving for \( x \) gives \( x = \frac{2}{3} \). These critical points divide the number line into intervals.
05
Test Intervals
Test the intervals formed by the critical points \( x = \frac{2}{3} \) and \( x = \frac{3}{4} \). Choose test values from the intervals: on the interval \( (-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \), test \( x = 0 \); on \( (\frac{2}{3}, \frac{3}{4}) \), test \( x = \frac{5}{6} \); and on \( (\frac{3}{4}, \infty) \), test \( x = 1 \).
06
Evaluate Test Points
For each test point, check if \( \frac{9 - 12x}{3x-2} \leq 0 \):- For \( x = 0 \), \( \frac{9 - 12(0)}{3(0) - 2} = -\frac{9}{2} \) (Negative).- For \( x = \frac{5}{6} \), \( \frac{9 - 12(\frac{5}{6})}{3(\frac{5}{6}) - 2} > 0 \)(Positive).- For \( x = 1 \), \( \frac{9 - 12(1)}{3(1) - 2} < 0 \)(Negative).
07
Determine Interval of Solution
The inequality \( \frac{9 - 12x}{3x-2} \leq 0 \) holds for intervals where the expression is negative or zero. Thus, solution intervals are \( (-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \cup (\frac{3}{4}, \infty) \). Since \( x = \frac{3}{4} \) makes the expression zero, include it.
08
Express Solution in Interval Notation
The solution set is \[ (-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \cup [\frac{3}{4}, \infty) \].
09
Sketch the Graph
To sketch the solution on a number line: - Use an open circle at \( \frac{2}{3} \) (since it's not included in the solution set).- Use a closed circle at \( \frac{3}{4} \) (since it's included).- Shade the intervals \( (-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \) and \( [\frac{3}{4}, \infty) \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Interval Notation
Interval notation is a mathematical shorthand to describe the set of solutions to an inequality. It efficiently captures all the values that a variable can take without listing each one individually. In our example with the inequality \( \frac{1}{3x-2} \leq 4 \), we found that the solution set is \( (-\infty, \frac{2}{3}) \cup [\frac{3}{4}, \infty) \). These intervals tell us that:
- From negative infinity up to (but not including) \( \frac{2}{3} \), the inequality holds true.
- There is a pause between \( \frac{2}{3} \) and \( \frac{3}{4} \), where the inequality does not hold.
- Then, starting from \( \frac{3}{4} \) (inclusive), extending to positive infinity, the inequality is again true.
Critical Points
Critical points play a crucial role in solving inequalities. They are points on the number line where the inequality changes its sign. For a rational inequality like \( \frac{9 - 12x}{3x-2} \leq 0 \), critical points arise from setting both the numerator and the denominator equal to zero.
- When the numerator of the fraction is zero, the entire fraction equals zero. In our case, \( 9 - 12x = 0 \) leads to the critical point \( x = \frac{3}{4} \).
- When the denominator is zero, the expression is undefined. Here, \( 3x - 2 = 0 \) gives us \( x = \frac{2}{3} \).
Number Line Graph
Graphing solutions on a number line provides a visual representation of which segments satisfy an inequality. In equations like \( \frac{1}{3x-2} \leq 4 \), the number line graph distinctly shows where the inequality holds:
- Place an open circle at \( \frac{2}{3} \) to indicate that it is not part of the solution. The inequality is undefined at this point.
- Put a closed circle at \( \frac{3}{4} \) because the inequality equals zero here, meaning it's included in the solution.
Rational Inequalities
A rational inequality involves quotients of polynomials, like \( \frac{1}{3x-2} \leq 4 \). These inequalities can be tricky due to the presence of variables in the denominators causing fractions to become undefined. To solve such inequalities, follow these steps:
- Reorganize the inequality so one side is zero, as done with \( \frac{1}{3x-2} - 4 \).
- Find critical points by making the numerator zero or the denominator zero, leading to potential changes in the inequality's sign.
- Use test points in different intervals established by the critical points to check where the inequality holds.