Solving Inequalities
Inequality Signs
An inequality is like an equation, but
instead of an equal sign (=) it has one of
these signs:
< : less than
≤ : less than or equal to
> : greater than
≥ : greater than or equal to
“x < 5”
means that whatever value x has,
it must be less than 5.
What could x be?
“x ≥ -2”
means that whatever value x has,
it must be greater than or equal to -2.
What could x be?
Graphing Rules
Symbol Circle Direction
of Arrow
< Open Left
> Open Right
≤ Closed Left
≥ Closed Right
Examples:
x < 5
x > -2
x ≤ -8
x ≥ 4
You Try:
x < -6
x > 2
x ≤ 0
x ≥ -7
Practice
x + 5 > 13 5 + x < 7
2x – 14 > 4 x/4 + 3 < 7
DAY 2
Use the Key Words to Write an Inequality
A number added to 5 is greater than 12
The quotient of 2 and a number is at most 6
7 multiplied by a number is less than 16
18 decreased by a number is no less than 12.8
17 is greater than or equal to 8 less than a number
Solving One-Step Inequalities
Addition Property for Inequalities
X-15<73
Solving One-Step Inequalities
y+15<25
Solving One-Step Inequalities
x
= 10
5
Multiply both
x
sides by the
reciprocal of the 5 × = 10 × 5
5
coefficient
x = 50
Solving One-Step Inequalities
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Division Property for Inequalities
5 x > 20
Divide both 5 x 20
sides by the
coefficient of x >
5 5
x>4
Solving Inequalities!
Solving inequalities is the same as solving equations.
There are only 2 things you need to know…
¡ 1.) If you multiply or divide by a negative number you must
switch the sign.
-7x < 21 Dividing by a
-7 -7 negative means
x > -3 switch the sign!!
¡ 2.) You will graph your solutions.
Special Case 1: Switching the Signs
When solving inequalities, if you multiply or
divide by a negative you must switch the signs.
Switching the signs:
¡ Less than becomes Greater than < switches to >
¡ Greater than becomes Less than > switches to <
¡ Less than or equal to becomes Greater than or equal to
≤ switches to ≥
¡ Greater than or equal to becomes Less than or equal to
≥ switches to ≤
Division Property for Inequalities
Caution! Dividing by a
negative number
− 5 x < 20 Same if multiplying?
Notice: Sign
CHANGED
− 5 x 20
−5 −5
< x > −4
Multiplication Property for
Inequalities
Caution! When you
YES multiply by a negative
number…
!
-x > 2
5 …the sign
CHANGES
(-5 )-x > 2(-5) x < -10
1 5
Solving One-Step
Inequalities
Let’s try some on our
own …… ready?
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #1
x+6≤7
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #2
3≤ x −5
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #3
− 3 x ≥ −15
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #4
x − 9 > −5
Answers for #1 - #4
1. x ≤1
2. 8 ≤ x or x ≥ 8
3. x ≤ 5
4. x > 4
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #5
1
x ≥ −3
2
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #6
x
−3 >
−7
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #7
5+ x ≥ 7
Solving One-Step
Inequalities #8
x
>5
3
Answers for #5 - #8
5. x ≥ -6
6. 21 < x or x > 21
7. x ≥ 2
8. x > 15
