Inequalities

In an equation the '=' sign means that the two sides are identical. But what
happens when the two sides are not identical?

If this is the case you need to use inequalities to show the relationship between
the two sides.

< means 'less than'

means 'less than or equal to'
> means 'greater than'
means 'greater than or equal to'

For example, if x > 2, then x = 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, ... (x is greater than, but not equal to
2, so don't include the 2).

If y is 4, then y = 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, -1, ... (y is less than or equal to 4, so do include

the 4).

Example
Solve the inequality:
5y + 1 < 26

First, you need to get the y values on their own, so minus 1 from each side to
give:
5y < 25
To find y, divide both sides by 5 to give:
y<5