If x is an integer, what is the value of x? (1) x^2 - 4x + 3

How to solve quadratic inequalities - Graphic approach.

\(x^2-4x+3<0\) is the graph of parabola and it look likes this:
Intersection points are the roots of the equation \(x^2-4x+3=0\), which are \(x_1=1\) and \(x_2=3\). "<" sign means in which range of \(x\) the graph is below x-axis. Answer is \(1<x<3\) (between the roots).

If the sign were ">": \(x^2-4x+3>0\). First find the roots (\(x_1=1\) and \(x_2=3\)). ">" sign means in which range of \(x\) the graph is above x-axis. Answer is \(x<1\) and \(x>3\) (to the left of the smaller root and to the right of the bigger root).


This approach works for any quadratic inequality. For example: \(-x^2-x+12>0\), first rewrite this as \(x^2+x-12<0\) (so that the coefficient of x^2 to be positive. It's possible to solve without rewriting, but easier to master one specific pattern).

\(x^2+x-12<0\). Roots are \(x_1=-4\) and \(x_1=3\) --> below ("<") the x-axis is the range for \(-4<x<3\) (between the roots).

Again if it were \(x^2+x-12>0\), then the answer would be \(x<-4\) and \(x>3\) (to the left of the smaller root and to the right of the bigger root).

Hope it helps.