≤ , ≥ , <,       >
  Inequalities
    Chapter 6
Solving Inequalities
   To solve an inequality, use inverse operations and
    solve it just like an equation.

   Extra Rule: If you multiply or divide both sides by
    a negative when doing inverse operations, you
    must reverse the inequality symbol.

   The graph is an open circle and arrow if only less
    than or greater than, or a closed circle and arrow
    if also equal to.
Example #1
      Solve:          −2 x − 7 ≤ 5
                           +7 +7
                            −2 x ≤ 12
                            −2 -2
                                   x ≥ −6


-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5   -4 -3 -2 -1   0 1   2 3   4 5   6 7 8   9 10

Greater than or equal to means closed circle and arrow.
Example #2
                           x
      Solve:
                             + 1 > −1
                          −4
                             −1 −1
                             x
                        −4 ( ) > (−2           ) ( −4 )
                            −4
                               x<8

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5   -4 -3 -2 -1   0 1   2 3    4 5   6 7 8   9 10

Less than means open circle and arrow.
Example #3
       Solve:
                     4x − 2 > 2x + 6
   


                            − 2x − 2x

                        2x − 2 > 6
                           +2 +2
                           2x > 8
                            x>4

-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5   -4 -3 -2 -1   0 1   2 3   4 5   6 7 8   9 10

Less than means open circle and arrow.
Compound Inequalities
   A compound inequality is two inequalities
    with the word “and” or “or” between them.

   “And” statements mean that both statements
    must be true and the graph is the
    intersection of the two answers.

   “Or” statements mean that only one has to
    be true and the graph is the union of the two
    answers.
Steps for Solving
      Compound Inequalities
Step 1:   Separate the problem as two
          inequalities.

Step 2:   Solve for each problem.


Step 3:   Graph each answer on a single
          number line. The combined
          graph and inequality is your
          answer.
Compound Example of “And”
      Solve:              3 ≤ 2 x − 3 < 15
                3 ≤ 2x − 3                 2 x − 3 < 15
                6 ≤ 2x                          2 x < 18
                3≤ x                              x<9
                            3≤ x <9


-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5    -4 -3 -2 -1   0 1   2 3   4 5   6 7 8   9 10

The answer is the intersection between the two points.
Compound Example of “Or”
      Solve:      h − 10 < −14 or h + 3 ≥ 2
            h − 10 < −14                   h+3≥ 2
                h < −4                        h ≥ −1

                    h < −4 or h ≥ −1


-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The answer is the union of the two answers. It can be either but
not both at the same time.
Compound Example of “Or”
      Solve:      h − 10 < −14 or h + 3 ≥ 2
            h − 10 < −14                   h+3≥ 2
                h < −4                        h ≥ −1

                    h < −4 or h ≥ −1


-10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
The answer is the union of the two answers. It can be either but
not both at the same time.

Solving Inequalities Lesson

  • 1.
    ≤ , ≥, <, > Inequalities Chapter 6
  • 2.
    Solving Inequalities  To solve an inequality, use inverse operations and solve it just like an equation.  Extra Rule: If you multiply or divide both sides by a negative when doing inverse operations, you must reverse the inequality symbol.  The graph is an open circle and arrow if only less than or greater than, or a closed circle and arrow if also equal to.
  • 3.
    Example #1  Solve: −2 x − 7 ≤ 5 +7 +7 −2 x ≤ 12 −2 -2 x ≥ −6 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Greater than or equal to means closed circle and arrow.
  • 4.
    Example #2 x  Solve: + 1 > −1 −4 −1 −1 x −4 ( ) > (−2 ) ( −4 ) −4 x<8 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Less than means open circle and arrow.
  • 5.
    Example #3 Solve: 4x − 2 > 2x + 6  − 2x − 2x 2x − 2 > 6 +2 +2 2x > 8 x>4 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Less than means open circle and arrow.
  • 6.
    Compound Inequalities  A compound inequality is two inequalities with the word “and” or “or” between them.  “And” statements mean that both statements must be true and the graph is the intersection of the two answers.  “Or” statements mean that only one has to be true and the graph is the union of the two answers.
  • 7.
    Steps for Solving Compound Inequalities Step 1: Separate the problem as two inequalities. Step 2: Solve for each problem. Step 3: Graph each answer on a single number line. The combined graph and inequality is your answer.
  • 8.
    Compound Example of“And”  Solve: 3 ≤ 2 x − 3 < 15 3 ≤ 2x − 3 2 x − 3 < 15 6 ≤ 2x 2 x < 18 3≤ x x<9 3≤ x <9 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The answer is the intersection between the two points.
  • 9.
    Compound Example of“Or”  Solve: h − 10 < −14 or h + 3 ≥ 2 h − 10 < −14 h+3≥ 2 h < −4 h ≥ −1 h < −4 or h ≥ −1 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The answer is the union of the two answers. It can be either but not both at the same time.
  • 10.
    Compound Example of“Or”  Solve: h − 10 < −14 or h + 3 ≥ 2 h − 10 < −14 h+3≥ 2 h < −4 h ≥ −1 h < −4 or h ≥ −1 -10 -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 The answer is the union of the two answers. It can be either but not both at the same time.