Inequalities

Lesson 4
 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

L4 -- Inequalities 2
 “x < 5”
means that whatever value x has,
it must be less than 5.

What could x be?

L4 -- Inequalities 3
 “x ≥ -2”

means that whatever value x has,

it must be greater than or equal to -2.

What could x be?

L4 -- Inequalities 4
 Graphing Rules

Symbol Circle Direction of

Arrow
< Open Left
> Open Right
≤ Closed Left

≥ Closed Right
L4 -- Inequalities 5
 Examples:
• x<5

• x > -2

• x ≤ -8

• x≥4

L4 -- Inequalities 6
 You Try:
• x < -6

• x>2

• x≤0

• x ≥ -7

L4 -- Inequalities 7
 Practice
• x + 5 > 13 • 5+x<7

• 2x – 14 > 4 • x/4 + 3 < 7

L4 -- Inequalities 8
 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

L4 -- Inequalities 9
 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
coefficient 5
x  50
 Solving One-Step Inequalities
Division Property for Inequalities

5x  20
5 x 20

Divide both
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
negative means
-7 -7
switch the sign!!
x > -3

– 2.) You will graph your solutions.

L4 -- Inequalities 14
 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 ≤

L4 -- Inequalities 15
Division Property for Inequalities
Caution! Dividing by a
negative number

 5x  20 Same if multiplying?

Notice: Sign
 5x 20 CHANGED
 x  4
5 5
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
x6 7 1
x  3 x
5
3  x 5 2
3
x
 3x  15 3 
7
x  9  5
5 x  7
 Answers

1. x ≤ 1 5. x ≥ -6
2. 8 ≤ x or 6. 21 < x or
x≥8 x > 21
3. x ≤ 5 7. x ≥ 2
4. x > 4 8. x > 15

L4 -- Inequalities 19
Word Problems
with Inequalities
Eight less than the product of -3 and a number is
greater than -26. Write and solve an inequality to
represent this relationship. Graph the solution set, and
check your answer.

Let x = the number

-3x – 8 > -26
-3x – 8 +8 > -26 +8 4 5 6 7 8
-3x > -18 CHECK @ x = 5
x < 6 -2x – 6 > -18
-2(5) – 6 > -18
Don’t forget to reverse the inequality sign -10 – 6 > -18
when dividing by a negative! -16 > -18
L4 -- Inequalities 21
 The sum of two consecutive integers is at least negative
fifteen. What are the smallest values of consecutive integers
that will make this true?
Let x = the first integer
x + 1 = the next consecutive integer

x + (x + 1) ≥ -15
2x + 1 ≥ -15 The smallest values of
- 2x + 1 -1 ≥ -15 -1 consecutive integers that
2x ≥ -16 will add to at least -15 are
x ≥ -8 -8 and -7.
x + 1 ≥ -7

L4 -- Inequalities 22
Connor went to the carnival with $22.50. He bought a hot dog
and a drink for $3.75, and he wanted to spend the rest of his
money on ride tickets which cost $1.25 each. What is the
maximum number of ride tickets that he can buy?
Let r = the number of ride tickets he can buy
cost of food + cost of rides ≤ $22.50

3.75 + 1.25r ≤ 22.50

3.75 -3.75 + 1.25r ≤ 22.50 + 3.75
Connor can buy a maximum
1.25r ≤ 18.75
of 15 ride tickets.
r ≤ 15 tickets

L4 -- Inequalities 23
Stan earned $7.55 per hour plus an additional $100 in
tips waiting tables on Saturday evening. He earned
$160 in all. To the nearest hour, what is the least
number of hours Stan would have to work to earn this
much money?
Let h = the number of hours Stan will have to work
tips + hourly wages ≥ $160
100 + 7.55h ≥ 160
-100 -100
7.55h ≥ 60
7.55 7.55
x ≥ 7.9 hours To the nearest hour, Stan
would have to work at
L4 -- Inequalities least 8 hours to earn $160.
24
Brenda has $500 in her bank account. Every week, she
withdraws $40 for expenses. Without making any
deposits, how many weeks can she withdraw this money
if she wants to maintain a balance of at least $200?
Let w = the number of weeks Brenda withdraws money
starting account balance – money withdrawn ≥ $200
500 – 40w ≥ 200 Brenda can withdraw $40
-500 -500 from the account for 7 full
– 40w ≥ -300 weeks and still have at
– 40 – 40 least $200 in the account.
w ≤ 7.5 weeks
Don’t forget to reverse the inequality
sign when dividing by a negative!
L4 -- Inequalities 25
 26

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued
1. Graph the inequality as a linear equation.
Since the inequality is non-inclusive, use a
dashed line.
y=x+3
To graph the line, plot the y-intercept first, (0, 3). Then use
the slope to find a second point. The slope is 1. Count up
one unit and to the right one unit and plot a second point.
Connect the two points and extend the line to the edges of
the coordinate plane.

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2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

 28

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued
2. Shade the appropriate area.
Since the symbol > is used we will shade above the y-intercept.

29

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

Guided Practice: Example 1, continued
3. Pick a test point above or below the line
and substitute the point into the inequality.
Choose (0, 0) because this point is easy to substitute into
the inequality.
y>x+3
(0) > (0) + 3
0>3 This is false!

Since the test point makes the inequality false, all points on
that side of the line make the inequality false. Therefore we
were correct to shade above the line.
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2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

 31

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

 32

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables

 33

2.3.1: Solving Linear

2.3.1:Inequalities
Solving inLinear
Two Inequalities in Two Variables
Variables
 Guided Practice: Example 2, continued

34

2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two

Variables
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2.3.1: Solving Linear Inequalities in Two Variables