Solving Inequalities with

addition & subtraction

This is an EQUATION:

x + 65 = 432
How do you solve for “x” ?

x = 367
In this case, “x” is equal to
exactly one number only.
This is an inequality:

x + 6 > 24
You solve it the same way as an
equation.

x > 18
This means that “x” can equal
ANYTHING higher than 18.
Symbols to know:

x > 4  “x is greater than 4”

x < 6  “x is less than 6”

x ≥ 5  “x is greater than OR equal to 5”

x ≤ 11  “x is less than OR equal to 11”
 Graphing your answer
Solve this:
x + 10 ≥ 15
-10___-10
x≥5

“x is greater than OR equal

to seven”
 • Here is how to graph your answer on a
number line:

x≥5

Since “x” can be equal to 5, color in a

dot over the 5.
“x” can ALSO be anything greater than 5,
so color in the number line above 5
to the arrow
Solve and graph:

x – 6 < -1
x<5

Is “x” allowed to equal exactly 5?

NO!! Only LESS THAN 5!
Instead of a dot, draw a circle.
Then color in the line less than 5.
Okay, let’s try a few.
Solve and graph these:

x+8<9

y – 6 ≤ 18
Check this out, though:

Do you agree with this statement?

4=4
Of Course!!
Do you agree that no matter what we do
to both sides, they remain equal?

4 • -5 = 4 • -5
-20 = -20
SURE!!
Okay….Do you agree with this?

4 < 20
Okay, Trog is now
annoyed.
Yes, 4 is less than 20!
What if we multiply both sides by a
negative number ?

-5 • 4 < 20 • -5
-20 < -100
Yeah Yeah….WAIT!!!
Negative 20 IS NOT less
than
negative 100!!!
You have to switch the sign to make it
true….

-20 >
< -100
Now it’s
good!
INEQUALITY RULE: When
solving inequality problems,
you must change the direction
of the sign if you multiply or
divide both sides by a negative
number.
Don’t be a fool!
WRITE THIS
DOWN!!
 Practice solving these

4x ≥ 16

-4y ≥ 16