Inequalities When comparing the numbers 7 and 4 You might say “7 is greater than 4” or “4 is less than 7” When two expressions are NOT EQUAL you can write an INEQUALITY

INEQUALITY SYMBOLS SYMBOL MEANING EXAMPLE < ___IS LESS THAN __ 4 < 7 > __ IS GREATER THAN __ 7 > 4 ≤ __ IS LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO __ X ≤ 5 { 5,4,3,2,1…} ≥ __ IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO __ X ≥ 7 { 7,8,9,10,11…}

Solving Inequalities You solve an inequality much like you do a regular equation. 2x + 4 < 10 2x + 4 -4 < 10 -4 2x < 6 x< 3 Solution set {… 0,1,2}

IMPORTANT …REMEMBER….. When solving certain inequalities, you must remember one important thing…if you are dividing by a NEGATIVE COEFFICIENT then you must FLIP THE inequality SIGN TO ITS OPPOSITE DIRECTION at the END -2X + 5 ≤ 11 -2X + 5 -5 ≤ 11-5 -2X ≤ 6 -2 -2 X ≥ -3 SOLUTION SET {-3,-2,-1….} Flip the sign !!!