Solving Inequalities
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
The inequality symbols are:
> greater than
 greater than or equal to
< less than
 less than or equal to
The steps for solving inequalities are the same as
those for solving equations:
1. Remove parentheses
2. Collect like terms on each side of the inequality symbol
3. Get the variables together on one side
4. Isolate the variable
5. Check
** There is one major difference in solving inequalities than
equations: WHEN MULTIPLYING OR DIVIDING BY A NEGATIVE, REVERSE
THE INEQUALITY SYMBOL.
Example 1
| x + 8 > 10 |
|
| x + 8 - 8 > 10 - 8 |
Subtract 8 from each side |
| x > 2 |
This is the solution |
Check by substituting a number greater than 2 into the
original inequality:
3 + 8 >10
11>10 it checks!
Example 2
| y - 4 6 |
|
| y - 4 + 4 6 + 4 |
add 4 to each side |
| y 10 |
|
Check by substituting a number less than or equal to 10 into
the original inequality:
9 - 4 6
5 6
Example 3
|
