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 The Ultimate Guide to GMAT Inequalities

Are you wondering, why an entire blog post on Inequalities?

Well, as you may have already found out, compared to other question types on the
GMAT, inequality questions are an especially slippery slope! They have sent many a
test-taker tumbling down on the path to not-so-great Quant scores.

By the time you finish reading this post, you will know all that you need to make sure
that this does not happen to you!

So, without further ado, let us examine some must-know inequality concepts and
strategies that will help us navigate these tricky questions with limited information .

We’ll first start with the fundamental concept of inequalities, followed by basic
properties and then move on to explore the complexities involved with some
additional properties. Finally we will summarize the key takeaways with a list of points
to keep in mind while using inequalities in problem-solving and data sufficiency
questions.

1. What are inequalities?

2. Basic properties

3. Advanced Properties

4. Points to remember
1. What are Inequalities?

Equations and inequalities are both mathematical sentences formed by relating two
expressions to each other.

In an equation, the two expressions are deemed equal which is shown by the symbol
=.

Where as in an inequality, the two expressions are not necessarily equal – this is
indicated by the symbols: >, <, ≤ or ≥.
x > y —-> x is greater than y

x ≥ y —-> x is greater than or equal to y

x < y ----> x is less than y
x ≤ y —-> x is less than or equal to y
Inequalities on a Number line

Number lines, such as those shown below, are an excellent way to visualize exactly
what a given inequality means. A closed (shaded) circle at the endpoint of the shaded
portion of the number line indicates that the graph is inclusive of that endpoint, as in
the case of ≤ or ≥.

An open (unshaded) circle at the endpoint of the shaded portion of the number line
indicates that the graph is not inclusive of that endpoint, as in the case of < or >
2. Basic Properties

There are 2 basic properties of inequalities which we can quickly prove using the
example below.

Property 1:

If we consider the true inequality

4<8

Adding 2 to both sides 6 < 10 (the inequality sign holds true)

Subtracting 2 from both sides 2<6 (the inequality sign holds true)
Multiplying both sides by +2 8 < 16 (the inequality sign holds true)
Dividing both sides by +2 2<4 (the inequality sign holds true)

Adding or subtracting the same expression to both sides of an inequality does not
change the inequality.

Multiplying or dividing the same positive number to both sides of an inequality does
not change the inequality.

Property 2:

Again considering the true inequality

4<8
Multiplying both sides by -2 -8 > -16 (the inequality sign reverses)
Dividing both sides by -2 -2 > -4 (the inequality sign reverses)

Muhhhltiplying or dividing the same negative number to both sides of an inequality

reverses the inequality – this is also called the flip rule of inequalities.
A little Q & A anyone?

Now that we are done with the basic properties of inequalities, here are a couple of
questions to make you think.

Question: Can we add or subtract a variable on both sides of an inequality?

Answer: Yes, because adding or subtracting a variable is the same as adding or

subtracting a number.

Question: Can we multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a variable?

Answer: No, we cannot, if we do not know the sign of the number that the variable
stands for. The reason is that you would not know whether to flip the inequality sign.

Let us illustrate this with an example –

If x/y > 1, most test-takers make the mistake of deducing that x>y, by multiplying
both sides by y. But we haven’t been given any information about the sign of the
number that the variable y stands for.

If x = 3 and y = 2 then the above relation x/y > 1 will hold true, and x will be greater
than y.

However if x = -3 and y= -2 then the above relation x/y > 1 will again hold true, but x
will not be greater than y.

If x/y > 1, the only fact that can definitely be deduced is that both x and y are of the
same sign .
Example 1:

Question: If a, b, c are non zero integers and a > bc, then which of the following must
be true :

I. a/b > c
II. a/c > b
III. a/bc > 1

A. I only
B. II only
C. III only
D. I, II and III
E. None of these

Solution:

Now the trap answer here will be D (I, II and III). The general tendency will be to
multiply both sides of the first inequality a/b > c by b to get a > bc, both sides of the
second inequality by c to get a > bc and both sides of the third inequality by bc to get
a > bc.

Remember that we can never multiply or divide both sides of an inequality by a

variable if the sign of the variable is not known. In this problem the signs of b and c
are not known. The above statements I, II and III can be true, if b and c are both
positive. But they will not be true if b and c are negative. Since the question is of a
‘must-be-true’ type, the answer here must be E.
Example 2:

Solve: -6x + 4 ≤ -2

Solving an inequality means finding all of its solutions. A ‘solution’ of an inequality is a

number which when substituted for the variable satisfies the inequality

The steps to solve a linear inequation are as follows:

• Isolate the variable and always keep the variable positive

• Solve using the properties of inequalities

• Represent the inequality on a number line

Isolating the variable by subtracting 4 from both sides we get -6x ≤ -6

Dividing both sides by -6 and flipping the inequality sign we get x ≥ 1

3. Advanced Concepts

Well, so far, we saw how the basic operations are applied to inequalities.

It is now time to delve into more complex properties of inequalities, dealing with :

A) Inequalities in fractions
B) Squaring Inequalities
C) Square Root Inequalities
D) Reciprocal of Inequalities
E) Like Inequalities
F) Max Min Concept of Inequalities
G) Quadratic Inequalities

A) Inequalities in Fractions

All proper fractions on the number line can be represented using the range -1 < x < 1
where x represents the proper fraction

All positive proper fractions can be represented using the range 0 < x < 1 where x
represents the positive proper fraction

For all proper fractions (0 < x < 1), √x > x > x2

If x = ¼ then √x = ½ and x^2 = 1/16

Clearly here ½ > ¼> 1/16

Example:
If x = 0.888, y = √0.888 and z = (0.888)^2 which of the following is true

A. x < y < z

B. x < z < y

C. y < x < z

D. z < y < x

E. z < x < y
Solution:

Since 0.888 is a fraction,

√0.888 0.888 > (0.888)^2
y>x>z
Reversing the inequality we get z < x < y

Answer : E

B) Squaring Inequalities

We cannot square both sides of an inequality unless we know the signs of both sides of the
inequality.

If both sides are known to be negative then flip the inequality sign when you square.

For instance, if a < -4, then the left hand side must be negative. Since both sides are
negative, you can square both sides and reverse the inequality sign : a^2 > 16. However, if a
> -4, then you cannot square both sides, because it is unclear whether the left side is
positive or negative. If a is negative then a^2 < 16, but if x is positive then x^2 could be
either greater than 9 or less than 9.

If both sides are known to be positive, do not flip the inequality sign when you square.

For instance, if a > 4, then the left side must be positive; since both sides are positive you
can square both sides to yield a^2 > 16. However if a < 4 then you cannot square both sides,
because it is unclear whether the left side is positive or negative.

If one side is positive and one side is negative then you cannot square.

For instance, if you know that a < b, a is negative, and b is positive, you cannot make any
determination about x^2 vs. y^2.

If for example, x = -2 and y = 2, then x^2 = y^2.

If x = -2 and y = 3, then x^2 < y^2.

If x = -2 and y = 1, then x^2 > y^2.

It should be noted that if one side of the inequality is negative and the other side is positive,
then squaring is probably not warranted.
If signs are unclear, then you cannot square.

Put simply, we would not know whether to flip the sign of the inequality once you have
squared it.

C) Square Root Inequalities

If x^2 < a ^2, then x > -a and x < a, the range of x will be – a < x < a

For e.g. if x^2 < 100 then the values of x that are going to satisfy the inequality are values
of x < 10 and values of x > -10.

If x^2 > a^2, then x > a and x < -a, the range of x will be from (-∞, -a) and (a, ∞)

For e.g. if x^2 > 100 then the values of x that are going to satisfy the inequality are values of x >
10 and values of x < -10.

Example:

If (y – 5)^2 < 36, find the range of y

If x^2 < a^2 then the range of x is -a < x < a.

Now x here is replaced by y – 5 and a is replaced by 6 (since 6^2 = 36).

(y – 5)^2 < 36 ----> -6 < y - 5 < 6.

Now adding 5 throughout and isolating the variable y we get,

(y – 5)^2 < 36 ----> -6 + 5 < y - 5 + 5 < 6+ 5

(y – 5) ^2 < 36 ----> -1 < y < 11

D) Reciprocal Inequalities

Taking the reciprocal of both a and b can change the direction of the inequality.

The general rule is that when a < b then:

If (1/a ) > (1/b) when a and b are positive . That is, flip the inequality.

If 2 < 3, then ½ > 1/3

If (1/a) > (1/b) when a and b are negative . That is, flip the inequality.
If -3 < -2, then 1/-3 > 1/-2

If (1/a) < (1/b) when a is negative and b is positive . That is, do not flip the inequality.

If -3 < 2, then 1/-3 < 1/2

If you do not know the sign of a or b you cannot take reciprocals.

In summary, if you know the signs of the variables, you should flip the inequality
unless a and b have different signs.

Example:

If 3 ≤ 6/(x+1) ≤ 6, find the range of x

Taking the reciprocal of the above range and flipping the inequality sign since the
entire inequality is positive
1/3 ≥ (x + 1)/6 ≥ 1/6

Multiplying throughout by 6
2 ≥ (x + 1) ≥ 1
Subtracting 1 from all sides
1 ≥ x ≥ 0 –> 0 ≤ x ≤ 1

E) Like Inequalities

The only mathematical operation you can perform between two sets of inequalities,
provided the inequality sign is the same is addition.

If the signs are not the same then use the properties to flip the inequality sign and
then add the two sets of inequalities.

Example:

If 4a + 2b < n and 4b + 2a > m, then b – a must be

A. < (m – n)/2
B. ≤ (m – n)/2 Given 4a + 2b < n and 4b + 2a > m. We can
C. > (m – n)/2 always add like inequalities.
D. ≥ (m – n)/2
E. ≤ (m + n)/2
Multiplying the second inequality
4b + 2a > m by -1 we get -4b – 2a < -m.
Now adding the two inequalities
4a + 2b < n and -4b – 2a < -m

4a + 2b < n
-4b – 2a < -m
________________
2a – 2b < n – m

Dividing both sides by 2

a – b < (n – m)/2
Multiplying both sides by -1
b – a > (m – n )/2

Answer : C

F) Min and Max Inequalities

Problems involving optimization: specifically, minimization or maximization problems

are a common occurrence on the GMAT .

In these problems, you need to focus on the largest and smallest possible values for
each of the variables.

This is because some combination of them will usually lead to the largest or smallest
possible result.

Example 1:

If -7 ≤ x ≤ 6 and -7 ≤ y ≤ 8, what is the maximum possible value for xy?

To find the maximum and minimum possible values for xy, place the inequalities one
below the other and make sure the inequality signs are the same. You need to test
the extreme values for x and for y to determine which combinations of extreme
values will maximize ab.

-7 ≤ x ≤ 6
-7 ≤ y ≤ 8
The four extreme values of xy are 49, 48, -56 and -42. Out of these the maximum
possible value of xy is 49 and the minimum possible value is -56.

Whenever two ranges of inequalities are given in x and y and you need to evaluate
the value of x + y , x * y, and x – y then use the max-min concept

1. Place the two inequality ranges one below the other

2. Make sure the inequality signs are the same in both cases
3. If the signs are not the same use the properties we have discussed before to make
them the same
4. Now add/multiply/subtract both in a straight line and diagonally to get 4 values
5. The greatest value will be max and the lowest value will be min

Is xy < 6 ?

I. x < 3 and -y > -2

II. y^2 < 100 , 1/2 < x < 2/3

Evaluating Statement 1 individually

x < 3 and y < 2 (Multiplying both sides by -1 and flipping the inequality sign)

Now If x = 2 and y = 1 then xy = 2 which gives a YES

If x = -3 and y = -2 then xy = 6 which gives a NO

Statement 1 is insufficient

Evaluating Statement 2 individually

y^2 < 100 ---> -10 < y < 10 ;

1/2 < x < 2/3.

Placing the ranges of x and y one below the other and using the max min concept we
have the maximum value of xy to be 20/3 which gives a YES and the minimum value of
xy to be -20/3 which gives a NO.
Statement 2 is Insufficient

Combining Statements 1 and 2,

Now the range of x is still going to be 1/2 < x < 2/3 but the range of y is going to be -
10 < y < 2 (Since y < 2 from statement 1)
Now using the max min concept for the above ranges of x and y, we have the
maximum value of xy to be 4/3 and the minimum value of xy to be -20/3. All possible
values of xy here are less than 6 which gives a definite YES.

Answer : C

G) Quadratic Inequalities

3x^2 – 7x + 4 ≤ 0

Factorizing the above quadratic inequation

3x^2 – 7x + 4 ≤ 0 —> 3x^2 – 3x – 4x + 4 ≤ 0 —> 3x(x – 1) – 4(x – 1) ≤ 0 —> (3x – 4)(x –

1) ≤ 0

we get 1 and 4/3 as critical points. We place them on number line.

Since the number line is divided into three regions, now we can get 3 ranges of x

i) x < 1 (all values of x when substituted in (3x – 4)(x – 1) makes the product positive)

ii) 1 ≤ x ≤ 4/3 (all values of x when substituted in (3x – 4)(x – 1) makes the product
negative)

iii) x > 4/3 (all values of x when substituted in (3x – 4)(x – 1) makes the product
positive)
At this point we should understand that for the inequality (3x-4)(x-1) ≤ 0 to hold true,
exactly one of (3x-4) and (x-1) should be negative and other one be positive. Let’s
examine 3 possible ranges one by one.

i) If x > 4/3, obviously both the factors i.e. (3x-4) and (x-1) will be positive and in that
case inequality would not hold true. So this cannot be the range of x.

ii) If x is between 1 and 4/3 both inclusive, (3x-4) will be negative or equal to zero and
(x-1) will be positive or equal to zero. Hence with this range inequality holds true.
Correct.

iii) If x < 1, both (3x-4) and (x-1) will be negative hence inequality will not hold true.

So the range of x that satisfies the inequality 3x^2 – 7x + 4 ≤ 0 is 1 ≤ x ≤

4/3

The steps to solve a quadratic inequation are as follows:

1. Isolate the variable and always keep the variable positive.

2. Maintain the Inequation in the form ax^2 + bx + c > 0 or < 0.

3. Obtain the factors of Inequation.

4. Place them on number line. The number line will get divided into the three
regions.

5. Mark the rightmost region with + sign, the next region with a – sign and the third
region with a + sign (alternating + and – starting from the rightmost region).

6. If the Inequation is of the form ax^2 + bx + c < 0, the region having the – sign will be
the solution of the given quadratic inequality.

7. If the Inequation is of the form ax^2 + bx + c > 0, the region having the + sign will be
the solutions of the given quadratic inequality.
Question: Will the above procedure hold good even for a cubic or a fourth degree
equation?

Answer: YES. For a cubic inequality we get 3 critical points which when plotted on the
number line divides the number line into 4 regions. Mark the rightmost region as +ve
and alternate the sign as shown below

Now based on whether the right hand side of the cubic inequality is < 0 or > 0 we get
the solution to lie in 2 of the 4 regions.

Example:

How many of the integers that satisfy the inequality (x + 2) (x + 3) (x – 2) >=0

are less than 5?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4
E. 5

The 3 critical points here are at -2, -3 and 2. Now using the concept of quadratic
inequalities and plotting the critical points on the number line we get

Now since the right hand side is >= 0 we need to consider the positive regions of the
number line. The range of x where the given inequality expression is positive is x >= 2
and -3<= x < = -2 . From the range of x the integer values less than 5 are 2, 3, 4, -3 and
-2

Answer : E
Points to Remember

Here are a few things you need to remember when you are using the properties of
inequalities to simplify complex PS and DS inequality problems.

1.Add or subtract any quantity on both sides of the inequality without changing the
inequality sign.

2.Multiply or divide by a positive value without changing the inequality sign.

3.Square both sides only when the quantities are both positive.

4.When multiplying and dividing by a negative number always flip the inequality
sign.

5.Never multiply or divide both quantities by a variable if the sign of the variable is
unknown.

6.If the sign of the variable is always positive then it is possible to multiply or divide
both quantities by the positive variable (for e.g. x2 ,since x2 is always positive).

7.The only mathematical operation that you can perform between two sets of
inequalities is addition. Never subtract, multiply or divide.

After reading our simple guide, you should now know what strategies you must
employ for inequality questions on the GMAT!

We hope this guide helps you along the way to a 51 on GMAT Quant!

You can now have a copy of your own Inequalities guide here!

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