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Prove: If $x^2+x-6 \ge 0$, then $x\le -3$ or $x \ge 2.$

This is my initial work, but I'm not sure if this is the way to go or if should do a direct proof.

Proof by contradiction: Assume $x^2+x-6 \ge 0$ and $-3<x<2$. Is this the correct start?

Drake
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    IMO it's easiest to show this directly. There are several ways (geometry, quadratic formula, factoring); choose your favorite. – Integrand Jul 16 '20 at 04:48
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    That is correct, but I think is much more easier do a direct proof. – azif00 Jul 16 '20 at 04:48
  • It is a start. What are you doing next? It can be correct if you proceed in the right way and it's only one or two more lines now. – Fawkes4494d3 Jul 16 '20 at 04:49
  • Well can I say let x=2 so it satisfies $x^2+x-6 \ge 0$, but does not satisfy $-3<x<2$ therefore there is a contradiction – Drake Jul 16 '20 at 04:51
  • To show the contradiction? But I don't know if I can say that or if I should show the algebra with the first inequality. – Drake Jul 16 '20 at 04:59

4 Answers4

1

$f(x)=x^2+x-6=(x+3)(x-2)$

From that one can see that $f(x)\geq 0$ when $x\geq 2$ of $x\leq -3$.

Mittens
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No need of contradictions. First , find the zeroes of the polynomial $x^2 + x -6$ . You know that values to the left and right of the zeroes will result in the upper portion of the parabola (the one that's above the $x$ - axis), which is actually showing a line whose y-coordinates are of values such that they belong to a set of whole numbers (those that satisfy your inequality). Thus, you'll understand that values below and above the zeroes (below the smaller zero and above the larger zero) plus the zeroes themselves are what that satisfy the inequality (or whatever it is).

Spectre
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I shall give probably the easiest technique what my sir taught me...

Whenever you reach at an inequality $(x-a)(x-b)\geq 0$ or $\leq 0$ (consider $a<b$) then the solution is either $(a\leq x\leq b)$ or $(x\leq a $ or $x\geq b)$.

Procedure
Take a point $c$ from the interval $[a,b]$ and verify whether $c$ satisfies the inequality or not.

If yes, then the solution is $(a\leq x\leq b)$,
otherwise the solution is $(x\leq a $ or $x\geq b)$.

For example, $x^2+x-6\geq 0\Rightarrow (x+3)(x-2)\geq0$.
Put $x=0\in [-3,2]$ which is not satisfying.
So the solution: $x\leq -3 $ or $x\geq 2$.

-1

As you have assumed, let $-3<x<2$ which implies that $x+3>0$ and $x-2<0$, i.e. these are quantities of opposite signs, so their product must be negative. But, $(x+3)(x-2)=x^2+x-6$ is non-negative, as given, hence, contradiction!

An algorithmic way of looking at questions of this type is given the name wavy-curve method.

In the direct way, $x^2+x-6\ge 0 \implies (x+3)(x-2)\ge 0$, so both the factors must be of the same sign. There are only really $3$ regions to check for signs. $(-\infty,-3],(-3,2),[2,\infty)$.

In $[2,\infty)$, both $x+3$ and $x-2$ are non-negative, so their product is also non-negative. As you go into $(-3,2)$, the sign of $x+3$ remains the same, i.e. it is still non-negative, but the sign of $x-2$ is now negative, so their product is now negative. Going in $(-\infty,-3)$, the sign of $x-2$ is still negative, as it was in the previous interval, but that of $x+3$ has changed to negative as well, so their product is now positive.

Thus, the given term $x^2+x-6$ changes signs at the junctions of crossover $(2,3)$, and it is non-negative in two of them.

You have to be careful with choosing the endpoints of the intervals, which depends on whether there is an equality sign or not in the given inequality.

Also, try this: For what $x$ is $(x-1)(x-2)^2(x-3)^3>0$? (specify regions, that is ...)

Fawkes4494d3
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