Solve (x − 4)/(x − 2) < 0
Rational inequality, worked out line by line the way a teacher would write it.
Answer
| Solution | 2 < x < 4 |
| Interval notation | (2, 4) |
Step-by-step solution
5 steps-
1 Given\frac{x - 4}{x - 2} < 0
Solve for x.
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2 Critical points: where the expression is 0 or undefined
A polynomial or a fraction can only change sign where it equals 0 or where it is undefined. Between two neighbouring critical points the sign stays the same, so one test value decides each whole interval.
\text{zeros: } x = 4\qquad \text{undefined at: } x = 2The sign can only change at these points, so test one value in each interval between them.
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3 Sign chart: the sign of each factor in each interval
Each row shows the sign of one factor in each interval, and the bottom row multiplies them: an even number of minus signs gives +, an odd number gives −.
\begin{array}{c|ccccc} & \left(-\infty,\, 2\right) & 2 & \left(2,\, 4\right) & 4 & \left(4,\, \infty\right) \\ \hline x - 4 & - & - & - & 0 & + \\ \hline x - 2\;\scriptstyle(\text{denominator}) & - & 0 & + & + & + \\ \hline \text{whole} & + & \text{\,undef.} & - & 0 & + \end{array}Test values: x = 1, x = 3, x = 5.
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4 Keep the intervals where the expression is negative
Keep the intervals whose sign matches the inequality: > 0 means positive, < 0 negative. With ≥ or ≤ the zeros count as well, but points where the expression is undefined never do.
2 < x < 4The critical points are left out: there the expression is 0 or undefined, not negative.
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5 Solution2 < x < 4\qquad \left( 2, 4 \right)
Check with test values
| x | Left side | Right side | Holds? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | −1 | 0 | ✓ true |
| 1 | 3 | 0 | ✗ false |
Change a number or try your own problem: the solver works it out the same way, with a graph and hint mode.