College Algebra (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321979478
ISBN 13: 978-0-32197-947-6

Chapter 5 - Section 5.4 - Polynomial and Rational Inequalities - 5.4 Assess Your Understanding - Page 373: 54

Answer

The inequality is valid for values less than -2 and values more than -1 (including them) i.e. $(-\infty,-2]\cap [-1,\infty)$.

Work Step by Step

First, we are going to move everything to the left side and simplify: $\dfrac{x-1}{x+2}\geq-2$ $\dfrac{x-1}{x+2}+2\geq0$ $\dfrac{x-1}{x+2}+\dfrac{2(x+2)}{x+2}\geq0$ $\dfrac{x-1+2x+4}{x+2}\geq0$ $\dfrac{3x+3}{x+2}\geq0$ Now, we find critical points by equating the numerator and denominator to zero: $3x+3=0$ $x+2=0$ There are two critical points: $x_1+2=0\rightarrow x_1=-2$ $3x_2+3=0\rightarrow x_2=-\frac{3}{3}=-1$ Next, we are going to take three values: one less than -2; one between -2 and -1; and one more than -1 to test in the original equation and check if the inequality is true or not: First test with a value less than -2: $\dfrac{-3-1}{-3+2}\geq-2$ $\dfrac{-4}{-1}\geq-2$ $4\geq-2 \rightarrow \text{ TRUE}$ Second test with a value between -2 and -1: $\dfrac{-1.5-1}{-1.5+2}\geq-2$ $\dfrac{-2.5}{0.5}\geq-2$ $-5\geq-2 \rightarrow \text{ FALSE}$ Third test with a value more than -1: $\dfrac{0-1}{0+2}\geq-2$ $\dfrac{-1}{2}\geq-2$ $0.5\geq-2 \rightarrow \text{ TRUE}$ These tests show that the inequality $\dfrac{x-1}{x+2}\geq-2$ is valid for values less than -2 and values more than -1 (including them) i.e. $(-\infty,-2]\cap [-1,\infty)$
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.