Inequality
Introduction
Problems based on inequalities and coded inequalities
involve essentially combination of two elementary problems
(as very name of the chapter suggests) (i) Inequalities and
(ii) coding
In such problems coding part is not a big challenge
because coding scheme is told entirely in the question
itself. Therefore, to decode the inequalities in a given
problem would not mean any more headache than a couple
of extra seconds.
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Essentially it is a problem of inequalities and it is
this aspect that should be mastered. Hence we first learn
the basics of inequalities.
What is an Inequality?
We know that the result of multiplication between 3
and 2 and the number 6 are equal. Since they are equal
it is an equality. In the same way, 3 3 6. Here the
product of 3 and 3 is not equal to the number 6. And
since they are not equal, it is an inequality.
Signs of Inequalities
There are, usually, four types of inequalities as given
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below:
( i ) Greater than: To denote mathematically, we use
> to denote greater than. For example, 3 3 > 6.
( i i) Less than: To denote mathematically, we use <
to denot e less t han. For example,
3 1 < 6.
( i ii ) Greater than or equal to: Sometimes we are faced
with two numbers where we dont know the exact
state of inequality between them. For example, we
may have two numbers x and y and all that we
know is that x is not less than y. In this case x
can be either equal to or greater than y. Such
situations can be represented as sign. Thus
we have meaning greater than or equal to. Ex. 7: Inequalities: A B, B < C.
So, x y means x is either greater than or equal to y.
( iv) Less than or equal to: Similarly, as above, we
may have two numbers a and b and all that we
know is that a is not greater than b. In this case
a can be either equal to or less than b. Such situations
can be represented as sign. Thus we have
meaning less than or equal to.
So, a b means a is either less than or equal to b.
Combining Inequalities
W e have t wo golden rules f or combining t wo
inequalities as given below:
(1) Two inequalities can be combined if and only if
they have a common term. Look at the examples
given below:
Ex. 1: Inequalities: A > B, C > D
Here, there are four terms A, B, C and D but they
do not have a common term. Hence these two
inequalities cannot be combined.
Ex. 2: Inequalities: A B, M N
Here, also there are four terms A, B, M and N but
the common term is missing. Hence they cannot
be combined.
( 2) Two inequalities can be combined if and only if
the common term is greater than (or greater
than or equal to) one and less than (or less
than or equal to) the other. (And the combined
inequality will have the common term in the middle
with the greater and the smaller terms on the two
extremes.) Look at the examples given below:
Ex. 3: Inequalities: A > B, B > C.
Here, common term B is greater than one term C
and less than the other, A. So a combination is
possible.
Combined inequality:
A > B > C or C < B < A
Ex. 4: Inequalities: A B, C < B.
Here common term B is less than (or equal to)
one term, A, and greater than the other term, C:
Hence, combination is possible.
Combined inequality:
A B > C or C < B A
Ex. 5: Inequalities: B < A, B C.
Here, common term B is less than one term, A;
and greater than (or equal to) the other term, C.
Hence, combination is possible.
Combined inequality:
A > B C or C B < A
Ex. 6: Inequalities: A > B, C > B.
Here, common term is less than both the other
t erms, A and C. So a combination is not
possible.
Here, common term B is less than (or equal to)
both terms. No combination possible.
Ex. 8: Inequalities: B A, C B.
Here, common term B is greater than (or equal to)
one term, A, and less than (or equal to) another
term, C. Hence, combination is possible.
Combined inequality:
A B C or C B A.
Ex. 9: Inequalities: A B, B C. Here, common term B
is less t han (or equal to) bot h A and C
combination is not possible.
Ex. 10: Inequalities: B A, B C.
Here, common term B is less than (or equal to)
one term A; and greater than (or equal to other
term, C. Combination is possible.
Combined inequality:
A B C or C B A.
Deriving a Conclusion from a Combined
Inequality
We have another golden rule, we call it as third golden
rule, for deriving a conclusion from a combined inequality
as given below:
Combine the two inequalities and draw a conclusion by
letting the middle term disappear. The conclusioninequality
will have an , sign (or a sign) if and only if both the signs
in the combined inequality were (or ; as the case may be).
Hence, the conclusion will normally have a > (or a <
sign strictly, unless the , sign or () appears twice in
the combined inequality. Look at the examples given below
that will illustrate the concept:
Ex. 11: Derive a conclusion from the following combined
inequalities:
(i) x > y > z
(ii) x < y < z
Soln.: (i) x > z
((ii) x < z.
Ex. 12: However, when we have signs in the combined
inequalit ies, t hen the pr ocess is a bit mor e
thought-provoking. For example, consider the
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following combined inequality:
x y > z.
Here, x is either greater than y or equal to y.
Therefore the minimum value for x is equal to y.
But y is always greater than z. Therefore, x is
always greater t han z (because even when x
attains its least value it is equal to y and y is
always greater than z. Therefore x will always be
great er t han z). Hence, the inequalit y as
conclusion is:
x > z.
Ex. 13: Now consider the combined inequality
x > y z.
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Here, x is always greater than y and y is either
greater than z or equal to it. When y is greater
than z; x will obviously be greater than z. Even
when y is equal to z; x will be greater than z
because x is always greater than y. Hence, in all
cases, our conclusion is:
x > z.
Ex. 14: Now consider the combined inequality
xyz
Here x is either greater than y or equal to y. When
x is greater than y; we have: x z which gives the
conclusion x > z ... (a) [see Ex. 13]
When x is equal to y; we have:
x = y z which gives the conclusion
xz ... (b)
Combining conclusions (a) and (b), we have
xz
Ex. 15: Derive a conclusion from the following combined
inequalites:
(i) L = M K
(ii)) L = M > N
Soln.: (i) L K
(ii) L > N
Strategy to Solve Problems on Inequality and
Coded Inequality
There are various steps needed to solve the problem
as given below:
Step I:
Neatly and quickly decode the symbols.
The question itself tells you which code stands for
which arithmetical operation. for example, we have been
given that P Q means P > Q. Therefore replace by >
wherever you see them.
You should take one code at a time and replace it by its
original mathematical symbol in all the given questions
before going to the next code. And you should do it quickly.
Step II:
Take one conclusion at a time and decide which
statements are relevant for evaluating the conclusion.
Now, this needs some thinking. What do we mean by
relevant statements? By a relevant statement we mean
the statement that is not useless for deriving a conclusion.
If there is a conclusion, say, x > y then a statement like b
> c is useless because this statement has neither x nor y.
Therefore any analysis of this statement cant tell us
anything about the conclusion: x > y. For any conclusion,
the relevant statements are those that can be combined to
prove or disprove that conclusion. How do we find the
relevant statements?
It is simple ....
To decide which stat ement s ar e r elev ant f or a
conclusion; take the two terms of a given conclusion and
see if each of them separately appears with a single
common term in the given statements in the question.
These statements will be our relevant statements.
To understand the above look at the example given
below:
Ex. 16: Suppose after performing Step I, we have the
following given statements and conclusions.
Given Statements:
M > N, L = M, O > N, L K
Conclusions: I. M < K II. L > N
Now, take conclusion I (M < K). For this we find
that the relevent statements are
M = L, L > K
Now, take conclusion II (L>N). For this relevant
statements are:
M > N, L = M
Step III:
Use the three golden rules to combine the relevant
statements and derive a conclusion from it. Those three
golden rules are:
Rule 1: There must be a common term.
Rule 2: The common term must be less than (or equal
to) one term and greater than (or equal to) another.
Rule 3: The conclusion-inequality is obtained by letting
the common-term disappear and it has a or a sign if
and only if the both the inequalities in second step had a
or a sign. In all other cases, there will be a > or a <
sign in the conclusion.
For illustration consider the previous example. We
have found that
( i ) for conclusion I (M < K) the relevant statements
are:
M = L, L K
We combine them and get M = L < K
M K. This is Step III.
Now, M K does not imply that M < K because M
K allows for M to be even equal to K, which is not
t rue in case of M < K Hence t his conclusion
(Conclusion I) doesnot follow.
 ( i i) for Conclusion II (L > N), the relevant statements
are:
M > N, L = M
After combining, we get L = M > N L > N
Hence, Conclusion II follows.
After performing these three steps, if a conclusion is
established and verified, well and good. If not, then perform
the following four checks:
Check 1: Check if the conclusion directly follows from only
single given statement.
Somet imes a st at ement may be in t he f or m of
A B and one conclusion may be in t he f or m of
B A. Obviously both these are completely identical but
sometimes we are prone to ignore such minor tricks of
the examiner.
Ex. 17: For example consider the following:
(Let mean >, mean , mean =, mean <,
mean )
Let, given statement: E F, C D, F G, D F
Conclusion: I. G F.
Here, conclusion I is G F or G F and it is
identical to F G or F G. Hence, it directly
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follows from one single statement.
Check 2: The conclusion you reach after the Third Step
may be identical to the given conclusion although it may not
look so in the first glance. Check.
For Example if you arrive at a conclusion- inequality: A
B then a given conclusion B A is obviously true.
Check 3: If after the third step you get a conclusion that
has a (or a ) sign and the two given conclusions have a >
(or a <) sign and a = sign between the same terms; the choice
either I or II follows is correct. (Very Imp.)
For example, suppose you reach A B after performing
the Third Step. Now suppose the given conclusions are:
I. A > B and II. A = B. Then, the choice either I or II
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follows is correct Similarly if you conclude that M N
and the given conclusions are I. M < N and II. M = N then
again the same answer follows.
Note: Check 3 merely tells you that if you have concluded
that [A B] you can as well write it as [A > B or A
= B]. Again, if you have concluded that [A B] you
can as well write it as [either A < B or A = B].
Check 4: If the two given conclusions have a
(i) and > signs, or
(ii) < and signs, or
(iii) > and signs, or
(iv) and < signs
between the same terms; and if neither of the conclusion
has been accepted in any of the steps above; the choice either
of the two follows is correct. (Important)
For example, suppose in a given question, the given
conclusions are:
I. A B II. A < B
And suppose that neither of them have been proved to
be true by virtue of any of the preceding steps.
Then since they have the same pair (A and B) and the
signs are and <; the choice either follows is correct.
Note: Check 4 merely tells you that one number can only
have three positions vis-a-vis another number. It
can be either less than or equal to or greater than
the other.
This is true universally of any two numbers. That is,
[A B or A > B] is a universally correct statement, because
A can be either (less than or equal to) or (greater than) B.
Thus, for any two numbers A and B the following are
always correct:
(i) (A B) or (A > B)
(ii) (A < B) or (A B)
(iii) (A > B) or (A B)
(iv) (A B) or (A < B)
We can call these four pairs of statements as our
complementary pairs. Obviously since one out of the
two statements will always be true in such cases, we
choose either follows as our answer. But remember, we
choose this as our answer only if neither of the two
statements have been otherwise proved in any previous
step. This is because if we have already proved that A < B
is definitely true it is ridiculous to still settle for the rather
uncertain- looking answer that either A < B is true or A
B is true. To understand this point better, consider Ex
18 and Ex 19 below.
Ex. 18: Statements: A B, B = D, D C, C B
Conclusions: I. A C
II. A < C
Soln.: Here, both conclusions are between A and C. We
see that A and C appear with a common term B
in
A B and C B.
So these are our relevant statements. They can
be combined because they have a common term
and because the common term B is less than ( or
equal to) one term A and greater than (or equal to)
another term B.
Combining we get: A C.
So, conclusion I follows.
Ex. 19: Statements: A B, B = D, D C, B C
Conclusions: I. A C
II. A < C
Soln.: By the same analysis as in Ex 18; our relevant
statements are: A B, B C.
Now, these two can not be combined because the
common term B is less than (or equal to) both A
and C. Hence, no conclusion is possible.
But t he t wo conclusions I and II f orm a
complementary pair. And hence either of them
must follow.
[Note that we had the same complementary pair as our
answer-choices in both Ex 18 and Ex 19. Yet we did not
choose either follows in Ex 18 because there conclusion
I was definitely established. But in Ex 19 no conclusion
was definitely established and therefore we choose either
follows as our answer.]
 Illustrative Example
We will now demonstrate how to utilise the above
discussed method to quickly solve problems of this type.
Directions (Q. 1-5): In the following questions, the
symbols , , , , and are used with following
meaning:
P Q means P is greater than Q.
P Q means P is either greater than or equal to Q.
P Q means P is equal to Q.
P Q means P is smaller than Q.
P Q means P is either smaller than or equal to Q.
Now in each of the following questions, assuming
the given statements to be true, find which of the two
conclusions I and II given below them is / are
definitely true. Give answer
1) if only conclusion I is true;
2) if only conclusion II is true;
3) if either I or II is true;
4) if neither I nor II is true; and
5) if both I and II are true.
1. Statements: M N, L M, O N, L K
Now we will take each of the questions separately and
perform step II and III for each of the conclusions.
1. (i) Conclusion I: Relevant statements are:
L = M, L K.
Combining, we get: M K. This does not match
with the given conclusion; M < K.
(ii) Conclusion II: Relevant statements are:
M > N, L = M.
Combining, we get L > N. Hence, only conclusion
II follows. Correct answer: 2
2 . (i) Conclusion I: Relevant statements are:
E = F, F G.
Combining, we get E G. This does not match
with the conclusion given: E > G.
(ii) Conclusion II: Relevant statements are:
C < D, D = E.
Combining we get, C < E. This does not match
with C = E. Hence both conclusions are rejected.
Check 1, 2, 3, 4 are also futile. Correct answer: 4
3. (i) Conclusion I: Relevant statements are:

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Conclusions: I. M K O = N, M = O, L M.
II. L N Combining the first two, we get M = N. Combining
2. Statements: E F, C D, F G, D E this with L M, we get: L N. This means that
Conclusions: I. E G conclusion I does not follow.
II. C E (ii) Conclusion II: We have already seen that L N
3. Statements: L M, O N, L H, M O follows. This is different from L > N. So conclusion
Conclusions: I. L N II does not follow. But, by virtue of Check 3,
II. L N choice 3 is correct.
4. Statements: Z Y, K L, Y X, Z K 4. (i) Conclusion I: Conclusion I is Y > L. Now, from
Conclusions: I. Y L the given statements, Y and L do not appear
II. Y L separately with a single common term. Y appears
5. Statements: R I, S C, S I, C O with Z, Z with K and K with L. Hence we will
Conclusions: I. C I hav e to t ake these t hree as our r elev ant

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II. S R statements. They are:
Soln.: In First Step, we quickly decode the symbol. Thus Z Y, Z > K, K = L
we have: Combining Z Y and Z > K, we get: Y > K. Now,
1. Statements: M > N, L = M, O < N, L K combining it wit h K = L; we get Y > L. So
Conclusions: I. M < K conclusion I follows.
II. L > N (ii) Conclusion II: Conclusion II is Y = L. Which is
2. Statements: E = F, C < D, F G, D = E not true as Y > L has been proved.
Conclusions: I. E > G Correct answer: 1
II. C = E 5. (i) Conclusion I: Conclusion I is C < I. C and I
3. Statements: L M, O = N, L < H, M = O appear separately with S in S = C and S I. So
Conclusions: I. L = N these two are our relevant statements. Combining,
II. L > N we get: C I. This means conclusion I is not
4. Statements: Z Y, K = L, Y < X, Z > K true.
Conclusions: I. Y > L (ii) Conclusion II: Conclusion II is S > R. Now, S
II. Y = L and R appear separately with a common term I;
5. Statements: R < I, S = C, S I, C > O in R < I and S I. So these two are our relevant
Conclusions: I. C < I statements and combining them we get: R < S.
II. S > R By Check 2, it is the same as S > R. Hence
conclusion II follows.
Correct answer: 2