Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Rational Inequalities
Rational inequalities involve expressions that are ratios of polynomials set in relation to each other using inequality symbols (e.g., ≥, ≤, >, <). To solve these inequalities, one must find the values of the variable that make the inequality true, often requiring the identification of critical points where the expression is undefined or equals zero.
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Rationalizing Denominators
Interval Notation
Interval notation is a mathematical notation used to represent a range of values. It uses parentheses and brackets to indicate whether endpoints are included (closed intervals) or excluded (open intervals). For example, (a, b) represents all numbers between a and b, not including a and b, while [a, b] includes both endpoints.
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Critical Points
Critical points are specific values of the variable where the rational expression is either zero or undefined. These points are essential in solving rational inequalities as they divide the number line into intervals. By testing these intervals, one can determine where the inequality holds true, leading to the final solution set.
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