# Thread: Inequalities with a modulus

1. ## Inequalities with a modulus

hi, how can i work out the values of x for this inequality please, |x/(x-2)| > |1/(x+1)|

the most confusing thing is that both parts are being divided.

2. Hello cpj
Originally Posted by cpj
hi, how can i work out the values of x for this inequality please, |x/(x-2)| > |1/(x+1)|

the most confusing thing is that both parts are being divided.
This is an awkward, 'bitty' sort of question. You need to look first at the values of $x$ where the sign of each expression changes, and then to consider the functions in the ranges formed by these values.

So the signs change when $x = -1, 0, 2$. We consider, in turn, the four ranges $x<-1,\; -1. I'll do the first two, and leave you to look at the last two.

When $x < -1$
$\frac{x}{x-2}>0\Rightarrow \left|\frac{x}{x-2}\right|=\frac{x}{x-2}$
and
$\frac{1}{x+1}<0\Rightarrow \left|\frac{1}{x+1}\right|=-\frac{1}{x+1}$
So
$\left|\frac{x}{x-2}\right|>\left|\frac{1}{x+1}\right|$

$\Rightarrow \frac{x}{x-2}>-\frac{1}{x+1}$
I'll leave you to check that this can be reduced to
$\frac{x^2+2x-2}{(x-2)(x+1)}>0$
Completing the square
$\Rightarrow \frac{(x+1)^2-3}{(x-2)(x+1)}>0$
Now for $x<-1, (x-2)(x+1) > 0$. So we want values of $x, \;(<-1)$ for which $(x+1)^2 > 3$

$\Rightarrow |x+1| > \sqrt3$

$\Rightarrow -(x+1) >\sqrt3$, since $x+1 < 0$

$\Rightarrow x < -1-\sqrt3$

So there's part of the solution set. (I said it was awkward!)

Now we look at the next range, $-1.

In a similar way, we get this time:
$\frac{x}{x-2}>\frac{1}{x+1}$
which can be reduced to
$\frac{x^2+2}{(x-2)(x+1)}>0$
This time the denominator is negative, so we want values of $x$ for which
$x^2+2<0$
and clearly there are none. So there are no values of $x$ in the range $-1.

I'll leave you to look at the last two ranges of $x$ in the same way. I reckon the final answer is $\Big(-\infty, (-1-\sqrt3)\Big) \cup \Big((-1+\sqrt3), +\infty\Big)$.