Solving Problems Involving Linear Inequalities

OBJECTIVES:
a. Translate word problems into linear inequalities.
b. Solve problems using first degree inequalities in one variable.
c. Demonstrate positivity in dealing with problems.

There are problems in real life that require several answers. Those
problems use the concept of inequality. Here are some points to remember
when solving word problems that use inequality.

POINTS TO REMEMBER:
 Read and understand the problem carefully.
 Represent the unknowns using variables.
 Formulate an inequality.
 Solve the inequality formulated.
 Check or justify your answer.

Directions: Solve the problem by completing the missing terms.

1. The sum of four consecutive integers decreased by 18 is greater than twice the
smallest of the four. What are the four smallest such integers?
Step 1: Let x be the ___________________________________
Step 2: The other integers are x+1, _________, and _________
Step 3: x + (x+1) + ______ + ________-18 > 2x
Step 4: x + (x+1) + ______ + ________-18 > 2x
4x-12 >2x
4x-___ >12
2x > ____
x > _____

Step 5: The four consecutive integers are ___, ____, ____, ____
 Solve the following problems:
1. The sum of two consecutive integers is less than 4o. What pair of integers
with this property has the greater sum?
2. Rina has a grade of 69,65, and 78 in her first three quizzes. If an average
of 75 is required to obtain a passing mark, what minimum grade must she
receive in the fourth quiz?

Directions: Solve the problems. Show your solution.

1. Seven times a certain number is greater than 21. Find the number.
2. Ruth’s grades on the first three tests are 79, 86 and 83, respectively. What must
be her grade on the fourth test to have an average of at least 85?
3. Miko is 5 years older than Kyle. If both of their ages are whole numbers and the
sum is less than 37, what is the greatest possible age of each boys?

Directions: Read and analyze the following problems. Solve and choose the letter of the
correct answer on the given choices.
1. Translate “ Adriel is at most ten years old”.
a. n ≥ 10 b. n ≤ 10 c. n=10 d. n > 10
2. My age is greater than 12 years but less than 20. Which of the following is my age?
a. 21 b. 13 c. 11 d.cannot be determined
3. Four less than thrice a number is not greater than ten. Which represents
the number?

a.3n-4> 10 b. 3n-4 < 10 c. 3n-4=10 d. 3n- 4 ≥ 10

4. Using the letter p, translate the statement to an inequality. “ The airplane will fly if it
has at least 20 passengers.”

a. p <20 b. p> 20 c. p ≥ 20 d. p ≤ 20
5. If n +5 > 12, and n is an integer, what is the smallest possible value of n?
a. 6 b. 7 c. 8 d. 9