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Concept · Sets & Inequalities
Quadratic and rational/abs-value inequalities
Practice this concept→
A Sets & Inequalities set, untimed
Named traps
8 ways this goes wrong.
Each is a named misconception the questions are built to catch. Open one for the move that tempts, and the fix.
- Absolute-value bound mis-expandedExpands |x-a|<b into the wrong double inequality.→
- Factoring/sign error finding rootsMakes a sign or factoring mistake when locating the roots.→
- Interval vs exterior setGives the exterior union when the between-roots interval is correct (or vice versa) by reversing the inequality.→
- Leading-coefficient sign ignoredForgets to check the leading-coefficient sign when deciding an always-true / always-positive quadratic.→
- No flip on negative multiply/divideMultiplies or divides an inequality by a negative without flipping the direction.→
- Rational-inequality sign mishandledMishandles the sign of a factor (e.g. when 0<t<1) in a fractional/product inequality, or misorders t vs 1/t.→
- Roots/boundaries swappedSwaps the two roots, producing a reversed or empty interval.→
- Strict endpoints includedIncludes boundary points for a strict inequality (or excludes them for a non-strict one).→
Key formulas
12- UnionA ∪ B = { x : x ∈ A or x ∈ B }
- IntersectionA ∩ B = { x : x ∈ A and x ∈ B }
- Complement (relative to universe U)Ac = { x ∈ U : x ∉ A }
- DifferenceA − B = { x : x ∈ A and x ∉ B }
- Inclusion-exclusionn(A ∪ B) = n(A) + n(B) − n(A ∩ B)
- Subset count of an n-element set2n subsets2n − 1 proper subsets2n − 1 nonempty subsets
- Empty set ∅ is a subset of every set
- Quadratic inequality ax2+bx+c>0solution keyed to root(s) and sign of a / discriminant Δ=b2−4ac (Δ>0 two roots, Δ=0 one, Δ<0 none)
- Roots straddle k (one >k, one <k) for a>0f(k) < 0
- Rational inequality f(x)/g(x) ≤ 0sign chart on numerator/denominator zeros (g(x) ≠ 0)
- Absolute value|x − a| < b ⇔ a − b < x < a + b (b>0)
- Inequality multiplicative propertymultiplying/dividing by a negative reverses the inequality
Shaky underneath?
If the concept underneath still feels loose, patch it here before coming back to CSCA questions.
FoundationsAlgebra 2 foundations