GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Worksheet

Skill
Group A - Solving inequalities by factorising
Solve the following inequalities

2 2 2
1) 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 12 < 0 2) 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 12 ≤ 0 3) 𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 12 > 0

2 2 2
4) 𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 12 ≥ 0 5) 𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 21 < 0 6) 𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 21 ≤ 0

2
7) 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 16 ≥ 0 2 2
8) 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 16 > 0 9) 𝑥 − 36 < 0

2 2 2
10) 𝑥 ≤ 81 11) 𝑥 < 100 12) 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 2 ≤ − 4

Group B - Solving inequalities using the quadratic formula

Solve the following inequalities

2 2
1) 3𝑥
2
− 6𝑥 + 2 ≤ 0 2) 3𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 2 < 0 3) 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 6 > 0

2 2 2
4) 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 1 < 0 5) 2𝑥 − 𝑥 − 4 < 0 6) 5𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 6 < 0

2
7) 5𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 2 ≤ 0 2 2
8) 𝑥 −𝑥 −4 > 0 9) 𝑥 −𝑥 −4 < 0

2 2 2
10) 𝑥 +𝑥 −4 ≤ 0 11) 𝑥 +𝑥 −4 ≥ 0 12) 𝑥 +𝑥 ≤ 4

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Group C - Listing integer values
Solve the following inequalities, sketch the graph to highlight the solution then list the integer
values that are in the solution set.

2 2 2
1) 𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 16 < 0 2) 𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 16 ≤ 0 3) 𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 16 ≤ 0

2 2
4) 𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 16 < 0 5) 𝑥 − 16 < 0 6) 𝑥
2
≤ 16

2 2
7) 𝑥
2
+ 10𝑥 + 10 < −6 8) 2𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 5 ≤ 0 9) 2𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 5 < 0

2 2 2
10) 2𝑥 + 9𝑥 − 5 < 0 11) 2𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 5 ≤ 0 12) 2𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 3 ≤ 2

Group D - Representing on a number line

Solve the inequalities, sketch the graph to highlight the solution then represent the solution
sets on a number line

2 2 2
1) 𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 24 < 0 2) 𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 24 ≤ 0 3) 𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 24 > 0

2 2
4) 𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 24 ≤ 0 5) 𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 24 ≥ 0 2
6) 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 9 ≤ 0
2 2 2
7) 𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 9 ≥ 0 8) 𝑥 − 9 > 0 9) 𝑥 < 9

2 2 2
10) 𝑥 − 1 ≤ 8 11) 2𝑥 + 13𝑥 + 6 < 0 12) 2𝑥 + 11𝑥 − 6 ≤ 0

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Worksheet

Applied
1) a) This rectangle has an area less than 14cm2. Calculate the value of 𝑥.

b) Sam says there are two possible values of 𝑥. Explain why Sam is wrong.

2) a) John thinks the solution to 𝑥

2
> 64 is 8. Explain why John is wrong.

b) Represent the correct solution on a number line.

3) Harvey says it is not possible to solve this inequality.

Lily says it is possible to solve this inequality but all values satisfy it.
Who is correct and why?
2
10𝑥 + 3𝑥 + 8 < 0

4) a) The width of the garden is 20 metres shorter than the length. The area is less
than or equal to 96m2.
Write an inequality to represent the area of the garden.

b) What is the largest possible length of the garden?

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Exam Questions

1) (a) Find the interval for which ….……………

𝑥
2
+ 13𝑥 + 36 < 0 (3)

(b) Solve ….……………

𝑥
2
− 13𝑥 + 40 ≤ 0 (3)
(6 marks)

2) (a) Solve ….……………

2𝑥
2
− 8𝑥 + 7 ≤ 0 (3)

(b) List the integer values ….……………

that satisfy part (a). (2)
(5 marks)

3) (a) Solve ….……………

𝑥
2
+ 10𝑥 + 5 ≥ (3)

(b) Represent your solution ….……………

to part (a) on the number (2)
line (5 marks)

4) (a) Solve ….……………

𝑥
2
− 3𝑥 ≥ 10 (3)

(b) Represent your solution ….……………

to part (a) on the number (1)
line (4 marks)

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Answers

Question Answer

Group A Skill Questions

Solve the following inequalities:

2
1) 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 12 < 0 1) − 6 < 𝑥 < − 2

2) 𝑥
2
− 8𝑥 + 12 ≤ 0 2) 2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 6
2 3) − 6 > 𝑥 and 𝑥 > 2
3) 𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 12 > 0
2 4) 2 ≥ 𝑥 and 𝑥 ≥ −6
4) 𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 12 ≥ 0
2 5) − 7 < 𝑥 < 3
5) 𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 21 < 0
2 6) 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7
6) 𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 21 ≤ 0
2 7) 𝑥 ≥ −4
7) 𝑥 + 8𝑥 + 16 ≥ 0
2
8) 𝑥 > 4
8) 𝑥 − 8𝑥 + 16 > 0
2
9) − 6 < 𝑥 < 6
9) 𝑥 − 36 < 0 10) − 9 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 9
2
10) 𝑥 ≤ 81 11) − 10 < 𝑥 < 10
2
11) 𝑥 < 100 12) − 3 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ − 2
2
12) 𝑥 + 5𝑥 + 2 ≤ − 4

Group B Solve the following inequalities:

2
1) 3𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 2 ≤ 0 1) 0. 43 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1. 58
2
2) 3𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 2 < 0 2) − 2. 29 < 𝑥 < 0. 29
2
3) 3𝑥 + 2𝑥 − 6 > 0 3) − 1. 79 > 𝑥 and 𝑥 > 1. 12
2
4) 2𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 1 < 0 4) 0. 29 < 𝑥 < 1. 70
5) 2𝑥
2
− 𝑥 − 4 < 0 5) − 1. 19 < 𝑥 < 1. 69
6)5𝑥
2
− 2𝑥 + 6 < 0 6) − 1. 31 < 𝑥 < 0. 94
7) 5𝑥
2
− 6𝑥 − 2 ≤ 0 7) − 0. 27 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1. 47

8) 𝑥
2
− 𝑥 −4 > 0 8) − 1. 56 > 𝑥 and 𝑥 > 2. 56
2 9) − 1. 56 < 𝑥 < 2. 56
9) 𝑥 − 𝑥 −4 < 0
2 10) − 2. 56 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1. 56
10) 𝑥 + 𝑥 −4 ≤ 0
2 11) − 2. 56 ≥ 𝑥 and 𝑥 ≥ 1. 56
11) 𝑥 + 𝑥 −4 ≥ 0
2 12) − 2. 56 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 1. 56
12) 𝑥 + 𝑥 ≤ 4

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Answers

Question Answer

Group C Skill Questions

Solve the following inequalities,

sketch the graph to highlight the 1) -7. -6, -5, -4, -3
solution then list the integer values
that are in the solution set.
2
1) 𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 16 < 0

2
2) 𝑥 − 10𝑥 + 16 ≤ 0
2) 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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3) 𝑥
2
− 6𝑥 − 16 ≤ 0 3) -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

2
4) 𝑥 + 6𝑥 − 16 < 0 4) -7, -6, -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1

2 5) -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3

5) 𝑥 − 16 < 0

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6) 𝑥
2
≤ 16 6) -4, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4

7) -7. -6, -5, -4, -3

2
7) 𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 10 < −6

2 8) -5, -4, -3, -2, -1

8) 2𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 5 ≤ 0

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9) 2𝑥
2
− 11𝑥 + 5 < 0 9) 1, 2, 3, 4

2
10) 2𝑥 + 9𝑥 − 5 < 0 10) -4, -3, -2, -1, 0

2 11) -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0

11) 2𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 5 ≤ 0

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 12) 2𝑥
2
− 9𝑥 − 3 ≤ 2 12) -5, -4, -3, -2, -1, 0

Question Answer

Group D Skill Questions

Represent the solution sets on a

number line 1)
2
1) 𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 24 < 0

2
2) 𝑥 − 11𝑥 + 24 ≤ 0 2)

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 2
3) 𝑥 + 11𝑥 + 24 > 0
3)

2
4) 𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 24 ≤ 0 4)

5) 𝑥
2
+ 5𝑥 − 24 ≥ 0 5)

2
6) 𝑥 + 6𝑥 + 9 ≤ 0 6)

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 2
7) 𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 9 ≥ 0
7)

2
8) 𝑥 − 9 > 0 8)

2
9) 𝑥 < 9 9)

2 10)
10) 𝑥 − 1 ≤ 8

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 2
11) 2𝑥 + 13𝑥 + 6 < 0
11)

2
12) 2𝑥 + 11𝑥 − 6 ≤ 0
12)

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Answers

Question Answer

Applied Questions

2
a) This rectangle has an area less than 14cm .
2
1) a) 𝑥 − 5𝑥 < 14
Calculate the value of 𝑥. 2
𝑥 − 5𝑥 − 14 < 0
(𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 + 2) < 0
𝑥=7

b) Sam says there are two possible values of 𝑥. b) You cannot have a negative
Explain why Sam is wrong. distance.

a) John thinks the solution to

2
2) a) The solution set for 𝑥 > 64 is
2
𝑥 > 64 is 8. Explain why John is wrong. 𝑥 <− 8 and 𝑥 > 8. The solution
is a range of values.

b) Represent the correct solution on a number b)

line
Harvey says it is not possible to solve this Harvey is correct as when you
3)
inequality. substitute the values of a, b and
Lily says it is possible to solve this inequality c into the quadratic formula, the
but all values satisfy it. discriminant is a negative value
Who is correct and why? so the parabola is above the x
10𝑥
2
+ 3𝑥 + 8 < 0 axis.

a) The width of the garden is 20 metres shorter a)

2
4) 𝑥 − 20𝑥 ≤ 96
than the length. The area is less than or equal
to 96m2. 2
𝑥 − 20𝑥 − 96 ≤ 0
Write an inequality to represent the area of the (𝑥 − 24)(𝑥 + 4) ≤ 0
− 4 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 24
garden.
b) What is the largest possible length of the b) The largest possible length is 24m.
garden?

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GCSE Maths Revision | Algebra

Quadratic Inequalities - Mark Scheme

Question Answer

Exam Questions

1) (a) Find the interval for which (a) (3)

2 M1 for factorising (𝑥 + 4)(𝑥 + 9)
𝑥 + 13𝑥 + 36 < 0 M1 for -4 and -9
A1 − 9 < 𝑥 < − 4

(b) Solve (b) M1 for factorising (𝑥 − 8)(𝑥 − 5) (3)

2
𝑥 − 13𝑥 + 40 ≤ 0 M1 for 5 and 8
A1 5 < 𝑥 < 8

2) (a) Solve 2𝑥 2
− 8𝑥 + 7 ≤ 0 (a) M1 substituting into quadratic formula (3)
2
−(−8) ± (−8) − 4 × 2 × 7
𝑥 ≤ 2×2
M1 for 1.29 and 2.71
A1 1. 29 < 𝑥 < 2. 71

(b) List the integer values that satisfy (b) (1)

part (a). A1: 2

3) (a) Solve 𝑥 2
+ 10𝑥 + 5 ≥ 0 (a) M1 for factorising (3)
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 + 5)
M1 for 5
A1 𝑥 ≥ 5
(b) Represent your solution to part (a) on (b) (2)
the number line

M1 closed circle indicated at 5

A1: cao
4) (a) Solve 𝑥 2
− 3𝑥 ≥ 10 (a) M1 for factorising
(𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 2)
M1 for 5 and -2 (3)
A1 5 ≤ 𝑥 and 𝑥 ≤− 2

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(b) Represent your solution to part (a) on
the number line
(2)
M1: closed circles indicated at -2 and 5
A1: cao

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