Creating a Word Problem

Components of Creating a Word Problem

Subject: What the word problem is about

Inequality symbol: <, >, ≤, ≥

Total: The value that is less than, greater than, less than or equal to, greater than
or equal to.

Given value: The value that is added or subtracted from the inequality

Changing variable: The variable that includes x, the aspect of the word problem
that changes

Put it all together: Combine all the component's listed above

Components of Creating a Word Problem: Example

Subject: Shopping at Target

Inequality symbol: ≥

Total: $80

Given value: $8 video game

Changing variable: maximum number of $12 movies that Megan can buy

Put it all together: Megan has a target gift card worth $80. She wants to buy

several movies that cost $12 each plus an $8 video game. Write and solve an

inequality that represents the number of movies she can buy without overspending

Converting a word problem to an inequality

 The total value must be alone on one side of the inequality symbol
 Observe the key phrases used in the word problem that imply the inequality
symbol used
 Consider which number in the equality is the changing value
 Consider which number in the inequality is the given value
 Observe the key phrases that indicate which operation is used
Example

Word Problem: Megan has a target gift card worth $80. She wants to buy several
movies that cost $12 each plus an $8 video game. Write and solve an inequality that
represents the number of movies she can buy without overspending

Inequality: 12x +8 ≤ 80

Explanation:

 The total value is $80

 “$12 each” implies that 12 is the changing variable
o 12x
 “plus an $8 video game” implies that 8 is positive and give
o +8
 “without overspending” implies that Megan can not go over $80
o ≤
 Creating an inequality Value table
Components of creating an inequality value table

Value of x- select different numbers on the number line for x

Inequality- Plug the value in for x in the inequality

True or false- Does the inequality make sense with the value?

Graph- Visually represent the inequality on a number line

Picture- Visually represent the inequality

Components of creating an inequality value table- example

Value of x- 7

Inequality-

80 ≥ 12 (7) +8

80 ≥ 84 +8

80 ≥ 92

True or false- False

Graph-

Picture-
Completed inequality value table
 Solving and graphing the inequality

Steps to solve a two-step inequality:

1. Write the inequality

2. Use the addition or subtraction property of
inequalities
3. Simplify
4. Use the division or multiplication property of
inequalities
5. Simplify

Properties of inequalities:

Addition Property of Inequalities

 When you add the same number to each side of an inequality, the inequality
remains true
 If a < b, then a+ c < b + c
 If a > b, then a + c > b + c


Subtraction Property of Inequalities

 When you subtract the same number from each side of an inequality, the
inequality remains true
 If a < b, then a – c < b- c
 I f a > b, then a – c > b – c


Multiplication Property of Inequalities (positive)

 When you multiply each side of an inequality by the same positive number,
the inequality remains true

-4 < 6

2 *(-4) < 2 * 6

-8 < 12

 If a < b and c is positive, then a * c < b* c

 If a > b and c is positive, then a * c > b * c

Division Property of Inequalities (positive)

 When you divide each side of an inequality by the same positive number, the
inequality remains true

4 > -6

4/2 > -6/2

2>-3

 If a < b and c is positive, then a/c < b/c

 If a > b and c is positive, then a/c > b/c

Multiplication Property of Inequalities (negative)

 When you multiply each side of an inequality by the same negative number,
the direction of the inequality symbol must be reversed for the inequality to
remain true.

-4 < 6

-2 *(-4) < -2 * 6

8 > -12

 If a < b and c is negative, then a * c > b* c

 If a > b and c is negative, then a * c < b * c
Division Property of Inequalities (negative)

 When you divide each side of an inequality by the same negative number, the
direction of the inequality symbol must be reversed for the inequality to
remain true.

4 > -6

4/-2 > -6/-2

-2 < 3

 If a < b and c is positive, then a/c > b/c

 If a > b and c is negative, then a/c < b/c

Graphing inequalities

Open circle Closed circle

C
Used when a number is not a solution Used when a number is a solution

<, > ≤, ≥
 Vocabulary

Addition Property of Inequalities- when you add the same number to each side of

an inequality, the inequality remains true.

Closed circle- Used when a number is a solution

Division Property of Inequalities- When you divide each side of an inequality by the

same positive number, the inequality remains true.

Graph of an inequality- shows all the solutions of the inequality on a number line.

Greater than- values that are bigger than the value of the inequality

Greater than or equal to- values that are bigger than or equal to the value of the

inequality

Inequality- a mathematical sentence that compares expressions. It contains the

symbols, <, >, ≤, ≥.

Less than- Values that are smaller than the value of the inequality

Less than or equal- Values that are equal to the inequality or smaller than the

inequality

Multiplication Property of Inequalities- When you multiply each side of an

inequality by the same positive number, the inequality remains true.

Open circle- used when a number is not a solution.

Solution- a value that makes the inequality true.

Solution set- The set of all solutions of an inequality

Subtraction Property of Inequalities- When you subtract the same number from

each side of an inequality, the inequality remains true

 Writing Sentences
Questions to consider

 For what values is x true? For what values is x false?

 Is there a pattern for values of x that work? Is there a pattern for values
of x that do not work?
 What happens when we plug values into the equation? What do these values
mean?
 What does the graph tell us?
 What phrases in the word problem implied which components of the
inequality?
 Describe the inequality properties that you used.
 Is the value of x included in the number line? Why or why not?