Question

Difficulty: HardLinear and Quadratic Inequalities

What is the set of real values of xx that satisfies the quadratic inequality −2x2+5x+3≥0-2x^2 + 5x + 3 \ge 0?

  1. −12≤x≤3-\frac{1}{2} \le x \le 3Answer
  2. B
    x≤−12x \le -\frac{1}{2} or x≥3x \ge 3
  3. C
    −3≤x≤12-3 \le x \le \frac{1}{2}
  4. D
    x≤−3x \le -3 or x≥12x \ge \frac{1}{2}

Answer

The set of real values of xx satisfying the inequality is −12≤x≤3-\frac{1}{2} \le x \le 3.
Multiplying −2x2+5x+3≥0-2x^2 + 5x + 3 \ge 0 by −1-1 gives 2x2−5x−3≤02x^2 - 5x - 3 \le 0. Factorizing yields (2x+1)(x−3)≤0(2x + 1)(x - 3) \le 0. The product is non-positive between the roots x=−12x = -\frac{1}{2} and x=3x = 3, giving −12≤x≤3-\frac{1}{2} \le x \le 3.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Multiply or divide the inequality by −1-1 to make the leading coefficient positive.
2x2−5x−3≤02x^2 - 5x - 3 \le 0
Dividing or multiplying an inequality by a negative number reverses the direction of the inequality sign.
2
Factorize the quadratic expression 2x2−5x−32x^2 - 5x - 3.
(2x+1)(x−3)≤0(2x + 1)(x - 3) \le 0
Splitting the middle term −5x-5x into −6x+x-6x + x gives 2x(x−3)+1(x−3)=(2x+1)(x−3)2x(x - 3) + 1(x - 3) = (2x + 1)(x - 3).
3
Find the critical points by setting the expression equal to zero.
x=−12x = -\frac{1}{2} and x=3x = 3
Critical points mark the boundaries where the sign of the quadratic expression changes.
4
Determine the interval satisfying the inequality (2x+1)(x−3)≤0(2x + 1)(x - 3) \le 0.
−12≤x≤3-\frac{1}{2} \le x \le 3
A quadratic expression with a positive coefficient of x2x^2 is less than or equal to zero between its roots.

Key Concept

Quadratic Inequalities and Sign Reversal
Estimated Time:2m 0s
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