Learn Before
Definition

Rational Inequality

A rational inequality is an inequality that contains a rational expression. Examples of rational inequalities include 32x>1\frac{3}{2x} > 1, 2xx3<4\frac{2x}{x - 3} < 4, 2x3x6x\frac{2x - 3}{x - 6} \geq x, and 142x23x\frac{1}{4} - \frac{2}{x^2} \leq \frac{3}{x}. When solving a rational inequality, the standard techniques for solving linear inequalities are applied, with two important distinctions: the inequality sign must be reversed when multiplying or dividing by a negative number, and any values that make the rational expression undefined must be carefully considered and excluded.

0

1

Updated 2026-05-01

Contributors are:

Who are from:

Tags

OpenStax

Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Ch.7 Rational Expressions and Functions - Intermediate Algebra @ OpenStax

Algebra

Related