aimnova.
DashboardMy LearningPaper MasteryStudy Plan

Stay in the loop

Study tips, product updates, and early access to new features.

aimnova.

AI-powered IB study platform with personalised plans, instant feedback, and examiner-style marking.

IB Subjects
  • All IB Subjects
  • IB Diploma
  • IB ESS
  • IB Economics
  • IB Business Management
  • IB Math AI
  • IB Math AA
  • IB Physics
  • IB Biology
  • IB Chemistry
  • IB History
  • IB History (2028+)
  • IB Global Politics
  • IB Psychology
  • IB Philosophy
  • IB Geography
  • IB Spanish B
  • IB German B
  • IB Italian B
  • IB French B
  • IB English B
  • IB English A Lang & Lit
  • IB Spanish A Lang & Lit
  • IB French A Lang & Lit
Question Banks
  • ESS Question Bank
  • Economics Question Bank
  • Business Management Question Bank
  • Math AI Question Bank
  • Math AA Question Bank
  • Physics Question Bank
  • Biology Question Bank
  • Chemistry Question Bank
  • History Question Bank
  • History (2028+) Question Bank
  • Global Politics Question Bank
  • Psychology Question Bank
  • Philosophy Question Bank
  • Geography Question Bank
  • Spanish B Question Bank
  • German B Question Bank
  • Italian B Question Bank
  • French B Question Bank
  • English B Question Bank
  • English A Lang & Lit Question Bank
  • Spanish A Lang & Lit Question Bank
  • French A Lang & Lit Question Bank
Predicted Topics 2026
  • ESS Predictions 2026
  • Economics Predictions 2026
  • Business Management Predictions 2026
  • Math AI Predictions 2026
  • Math AA Predictions 2026
  • Physics Predictions 2026
  • Geography Predictions 2026
  • Spanish B Predictions 2026
  • German B Predictions 2026
  • Italian B Predictions 2026
  • French B Predictions 2026
  • English B Predictions 2026

Study Resources

  • Free Study Notes
  • Mock Exams
  • Revision Guide
  • Flashcards
  • Exam Skills
  • Command Terms
  • Past Paper Feedback
  • Grade Calculator
  • Exam Timetable 2026

Company

  • Features
  • Pricing
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookies

© 2026 Aimnova. All rights reserved.

Made with 💜 for IB students worldwide

c059741
NotesMath AA HLTopic 2.15Solving inequalities
Back to Math AA HL Topics
2.15.11 min read

Solving inequalities (Math AA HL)

IB Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches • Unit 2

7-day free trial

Know exactly what to write for full marks

Practice with exam questions and get AI feedback that shows you the perfect answer — what examiners want to see.

Start Free Trial

Contents

  • Graphically: which curve is on top?
  • Analytically: one side, then sign analysis
Read off where one graph beats the other: To solve f(x) ≥ g(x), find where the graph of f is on or above g. The boundaries are the intersection points (where f = g) — then read off the x-intervals between them.

Animated graph

Watch the graph build step by step in study mode.

Unlock free for 7 days

IB-style question — solve graphically

Solve x² ≤ x + 2.

Step by step

  1. Intersections: set equal and solve.
  2. The parabola is below the line between these x-values.

Final answer

−1 ≤ x ≤ 2.

Free preview

This is the free notes preview

You're reading the free notes. Aimnova Pro unlocks the full study experience — and you can try it free for 7 days:

  • FlashcardsLock in vocabulary and key terms with spaced repetition.
  • Practice questionsAnswer exam-style questions and get instant AI marking.
  • Mock exams & past-paper vaultSit full mocks and see exactly how examiners award marks.
  • Personalised study planA daily plan built around your exam date and weak areas.
Start your 7-day free trial Full access to Aimnova Pro · cancel anytime
Never multiply by something that could be negative: Move everything to one side, combine into a single fraction/expression, then use a sign analysis (number line of the critical points).

Don't cross-multiply a rational inequality — the denominator's sign can flip the direction.

IB-style question — rational inequality

Solve (x − 1)/(x + 2) ≥ 0.

Step by step

  1. Critical points: where the expression is 0 or undefined.
  2. Test each interval's sign on a number line.
  3. Keep where it's ≥ 0 (include x = 1, exclude x = −2).

Final answer

x < −2 or x ≥ 1.

Try an IB Exam Question — Free AI Feedback

Test yourself on Solving inequalities. Write your answer and get instant AI feedback — just like a real IB examiner.

x² > 4. [2 marks]

Related Math AA HL Topics

Continue learning with these related topics from the same unit:

2.1.1Equations of lines
2.1.2Parallel lines
2.1.3Perpendicular lines
2.1.4Perpendicular bisector
View all Math AA HL topics

Improve your exam technique

Command terms, paper structure, and mark-scheme tips for Math AA HL

Previous
2.14.2Inverses: domain restriction & self-inverse
Next
Graphs of |f(x)|, f(|x|) and 1/f(x)2.16.1

11 questions to test your understanding

Reading is just the start. Students who tested themselves scored 82% on average — try IB-style questions with AI feedback.

Start Free TrialView All Math AA HL Topics