Chapter A, Problem 25E

To determine

To solve the below inequality in terms of intervals and illustrate the solution set on the real number line -

  $\frac{1}{x}<4$

Answer to Problem 25E

The solution of the inequality is $x<0$ or $x>\frac{1}{4}$ and the solution set on a real number line -

  

Explanation of Solution

Given: Inequality: $\frac{1}{x}<4$

Formula Used:

An inequality compares two values, showing if one is less than, greater than, or simply not equal to another value.

Real number line is the line whose points are the real numbers. 

Calculation:

Given: Inequality equation is $\frac{1}{x}<4$

Subtracting $4$ from both the sides, we have:

  $\begin{array}{l}\frac{1}{x}-4<4-4\\ \frac{1}{x}-4<0\\ \frac{1-4x}{x}<0\end{array}$

To solve the above inequalities, we need to find the different intervals for which the inequality gives a value less than $0$ .

When $x<0$ :

  $x$ is negative and $\left(1-4x\right)$ is positive

Thus, $\frac{1-4x}{x}<0$

So, $x<0$ isone of the solutions.

When $0<x<\frac{1}{4}$ :

  $x$ is positiveand $\left(1-4x\right)$ is positive

Thus, $\frac{1-4x}{x}>0$

So, $0<x<\frac{1}{4}$ is not one of the solutions.

When $x>\frac{1}{4}$ :

  $x$ is negativeand $\left(1-4x\right)$ is positive

Thus, $\frac{1-4x}{x}<0$

So, $x>\frac{1}{4}$ is one of the solutions.

Combining all the solutions, we have the solution set as:

  $x<0$ or $x>\frac{1}{4}$

Drawing the above inequality on a real number line, we have:

  

Conclusion:

Hence, the solution of the inequality is $x<0$ or $x>\frac{1}{4}$ and the solution set on a real number line -