Key Ideas:

• Solving quadratic equations by graphing.

Instead of stating the x- intercepts as the solution,
the graph is used to identify intervals of x-values
where the y-values of the graph are above or below
the x-axis.

A quadratic inequality in one variable can be written in one of four forms.

Therefore, there are four possible scenarios when solving quadratic inequalities graphically.

Example 1: Given the graph of f (x) =(x – 1)(x + 7), solve the following.
a.) (x – 1)(x + 7) = 0

b.) (x – 1)(x + 7) < 0

c.) (x – 1)(x + 7) > 0

Example 2: For the graph of f (x) = -x2 – 5x – 6, determine each solution.
a.) -x2 – 5x – 6 = 0

b.) -x2 – 5x – 6 < 0

c.) -x2 – 5x – 6 > 0

Example 3: Is the value of x a solution to the given inequality? Show your work.
2
a.) x + 3x > -5, x=0

Example 4 and 5: Solve on Loose-leaf

x2 – 7x – 18 < 0

Method 1: Graphically

Method 2: Case Analysis

(Similar as sign analysis; only one number line)
Method 3: Sign Analysis

There are several methods however the one that

will be most useful for those going on to Pre-
calculus 30/Calculus is sign analysis.

Steps:
1. Factor (Finding roots/critical values)
2. Plot roots on number lines (making a sign
analysis chart)
3. Test each subset (positive/negative)
4. Analyze what happens to “y” (and therefore,
which section(s) satisfy the inequality)
5. Use interval notation to write the solution

Example 6. Solve each of the following using sign analysis. Show your work!!!
a.) x2 – 6x – 16 > 0
b.) -x (6x + 1) ≤ -12
c.) -2x(x + 5) ≥ 0

p. 484: 1, 2-3 (b, d), 4-7 (a,d), 9, 12