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 an inequality form. To solve them, one must determine where the rational expression is positive, negative, or zero. This often requires finding critical points where the numerator or denominator equals zero, which helps in analyzing the sign of the expression across different intervals.
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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, the interval [a, b) includes 'a' but not 'b', which is essential for expressing solution sets of inequalities clearly.
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Sign Analysis
Sign analysis is a method used to determine the sign (positive or negative) of a rational expression over different intervals. After identifying critical points, one tests values from each interval to see if the expression is greater than or less than zero. This process is crucial for solving inequalities, as it helps to establish where the inequality holds true.
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