Name: ____________________

Intro to Inequalities
An inequality tells us that one value is less than or greater than another value.
Suppose we knew the temperature is less than 3∘ F, but we don’t know exactly what it is.
To represent what we know about the temperature 𝑡 in ∘ F we can write the
inequality: 𝑡 < 3
The temperature can also be graphed on a number line. Any point to the left of 3 is a
possible value for 𝑡. The open circle at 3 means that 𝑡 cannot be equal to 3, because the
temperature is less than 3.

Here is another example. Suppose a young traveler has to be at least 16 years old to fly
on an airplane without an accompanying adult.
If 𝑎 represents the age of the traveler, any number greater than 16 is a possible value for
𝑎, and 16 itself is also a possible value of 𝑎. We can show this on a number line by
drawing a closed circle at 16 to show that it meets the requirement (a 16-year-old person
can travel alone). From there, we draw a line that points to the right.

We can also write an inequality and equation to show possible values for 𝑎: 𝑎 > 16 𝑎 =
16

Estimate Ms. Snyder’s height

1. Name a number, in feet, that is clearly too high for Ms. Snyder’s height.

2. Name a number, in feet, that is clearly too low for her height.

3. Make an estimate of her height.

Ms. Snyder standing next to Miss. Anderson…

If the Ms. Snyder’s actual height is 5 feet 9 inches, what can you say about Miss.
Anderson’s height?
Unknowns on a Number Line
The number line shows several points, each labeled with a letter.

1. Fill in each blank with a letter so that the inequality statements are true.

a. _______ > _______ b. _______ > _______

c. _______ < _______ d. _______ < _______

2. List a possible value for each letter on the number line based on its location.

A= B= C=

D= E= F=

Matching Inequalities
1. Visit Google Classroom
2. Click the link Miss. Anderson
posted
3. Scroll down to 8.2: Stories about 9
4. Match the green, blue, and red
circles by dragging them on top of
each other
Amusement Park Rides
Miss. Anderson takes her math classes to an amusement park. They come across a sign
that reads:

to ride the . . . you must be . . .

row 1 High Bounce between 55 and 72 inches tall
row 2 Climb-A-Thon under 60 inches tall
row 3 Twirl-O-Coaster 58 inches minimum

1. Write an inequality for each of the three height requirements. Use ℎ for the
unknown height. Then, represent each height requirement on a number line.

High Bounce

Climb-A-Thon

Twirl-O-Coaster
2. Ava is 55 inches tall. Carson doesn’t think she is tall enough to ride the High
Bounce, but Ava believes that she is tall enough. Do you agree with Carson or Ava?
Be prepared to explain your reasoning.

3. Grace can ride the Climb-A-Thon, but she cannot ride the High Bounce or the
Twirl-O-Coaster. Which, if any, of the following could be Grace’s height? Be
prepared to explain your reasoning.
59 inches
53 inches
56 inches

4. Ben is 56 inches tall. Which rides can he go on?

5. Xander is 60 inches tall. Which rides can he go on?

6. The inequalities ℎ < 75 and ℎ > 64 represent the height restrictions, in inches, of
another ride. Write three values that are solutions to both of these inequalities.

7. Represent the height restrictions for all three rides on a single number line, using a
different color for each ride.

8. Which part of the number line is shaded with all 3 colors?

9. Name one possible height a person could be in order to go on all three rides.