Representing Simple

Inequalities on a Number
Line
BY TIMOTHY BARTER
Hello Classmate

u Representing simple inequalities on a number line is pretty simple.

u It can be divided into two main parts;
u - finding the inequality,
u - and plotting the inequality

u And this powerpoint will show you how!

Things You Need To Know…

u The inequality signs are these, less than, <, greater than, >, greater than or
equal to,≥, or less than or equal to, <.

u If you multiply or divide by a negative number, the inequality sign is

reversed.

u At the end of each question, put the pronumerals on the left hand side of
the inequalities sign, but don’t forget to change the sign around!
Finding the Inequality

u Basically you are finding out what you need to represent. It could be
something as simple as 2-1 < x or as tricky as -2 - 5 ≥ x + 4

u What you want to do, is treat as if it is an algebra question.

u So if I had 23 – 8 > x , I would want to get to what is greater than x, so I

would – minus 8 from 23, and get 15. Thus, 15 > x . I would then plot this.
u This applies to all linear inequalities.
Plotting the Inequality

u First of all, to do this you need to know the symbols we use.

u To plot greater than or less than, we use an open circle, like this – o
u To plot greater than or equal to or less than or equal to, we use a filled
circle, like this –
u To plot the inequality on our number line, we draw the symbol on the
number, and draw an arrow down or up the number line, and the
pronumeral at the end of it, like so -
Practice Questions

u Here are3 practice questions, the answers and working out are on the next
slide.

u 1. x > 2 – 1
u 2. 4 – 3x > -8
u 3. The temperature at Thredbo is less than (<)38 - 45ºC, plot this on a
number line.
 Finding the inequality

Answers Plotting the inequality

Finding the inequality

Plotting the inequality

Finding the inequality

Plotting the inequality

Now You Try!

u 1. 4(x-+2)<12

u 2. -3 (a+5) > 9

1-7x
u 3. 3 ≥ ———— (Round to 1 decimal place)
5
Answers
Now You’re Done

u Now that you know how to plot inequalities on a number line, you can go
into class and confuse Mrs Harris as to why you are better than her at
plotting simple inequalities!

u Well Done!