• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Inequality (1 Viewer)

Study notes

Member
Joined
Jul 2, 2013
Messages
41
Gender
Male
HSC
2014
With inequality with unknown denominators, I normally multiply one side by x^2 to ensure the sign won't change and this is a little problematic when I get powers higher than 2 :p

This is probably an "easy" question for most people... but any help will be appreciated

(1 / x) < 1 / (x+1)



What other ways can I approach with this question?


Thanks in advance :)
 
Last edited:

Trebla

Administrator
Administrator
Joined
Feb 16, 2005
Messages
8,402
Gender
Male
HSC
2006
1/x - 1/(x + 1) < 0
1/[x(x + 1)] < 0
x(x + 1) < 0
-1 < x < 0
 

braintic

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2011
Messages
2,137
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
1/x - 1/(x + 1) < 0
1/[x(x + 1)] < 0
x(x + 1) < 0
-1 < x < 0
That worked out nicely because the numerator turned out not to involve x's.
More generally though (sticking to the method suggested by the original poster), you would multiply both sides by x^2 times (x+1)^2.

When you get high powers, just make sure you don't expand these powers. Go straight to factorisation.
 

Carrotsticks

Retired
Joined
Jun 29, 2009
Messages
9,494
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
N/A
If you quickly draw a sketch (should take no longer than 10 seconds), you should be able to get the answer instantly.

One is the standard hyperbola y=1/x and the other is the same curve shifted to the left by 1 unit.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top