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6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities - Mathematics LibreTexts
3.6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities

 Learning Objectives
By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Solve applications with linear inequalities
 Note
Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

1. Write as an inequality: x is at least 30.
If you missed this problem, review Exercise 2.7.34.
2. Solve 8 − 3𝑦 < 41.
If you missed this problem, review Exercise 2.7.22.
Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities

Many real-life situations require us to solve inequalities. In fact, inequality applications are so common that we often do not even
realize we are doing algebra. For example, how many gallons of gas can be put in the car for $20? Is the rent on an apartment
affordable? Is there enough time before class to go get lunch, eat it, and return? How much money should each family member’s
holiday gift cost without going over budget?
The method we will use to solve applications with linear inequalities is very much like the one we used when we solved applications
with equations. We will read the problem and make sure all the words are understood. Next, we will identify what we are looking
for and assign a variable to represent it. We will restate the problem in one sentence to make it easy to translate into an inequality.
Then, we will solve the inequality.
 Example 3.6.1
Emma got a new job and will have to move. Her monthly income will be $5,265. To qualify to rent an apartment, Emma’s
monthly income must be at least three times as much as the rent. What is the highest rent Emma will qualify for?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 1. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 the problem.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the highest rent Emma will qualify for
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.
Let r = rent
Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 into an inequality.
Emma’s monthly income must be at least
First write a sentence that gives the information three times the rent.
to find it.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 5265 ≥ 3𝑟
Remember, 𝑎 > 𝑥 has the same meaning 1755 ≥ 𝑟
as 𝑥 < 𝑎 𝑟 ≤ 1755
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 the answer in the problem
and make sure it makes sense.
A maximum rent of $1,755 seems
reasonable for an income of $5,265.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the answer in the problem the question with a
complete sentence. The maximum rent is $1,755.
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2024/3/31 10:17 3.6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities - Mathematics LibreTexts
 Try It 3.6.2
Alan is loading a pallet with boxes that each weighs 45 pounds. The pallet can safely support no more than 900 pounds. How
many boxes can he safely load onto the pallet?
Answer
There can be no more than 20 boxes.
 Try It 3.6.3
The elevator in Yehire’s apartment building has a sign that says the maximum weight is 2,100 pounds. If the average weight of
one person is 150 pounds, how many people can safely ride the elevator?
Answer
A maximum of 14 people can safely ride in the elevator.
Sometimes an application requires the solution to be a whole number, but the algebraic solution to the inequality is not a whole
number. In that case, we must round the algebraic solution to a whole number. The context of the application will determine
whether we round up or down. To check applications like this, we will round our answer to a number that is easy to compute with
and make sure that number makes the inequality true.
 Example 3.6.4
Dawn won a mini-grant of $4,000 to buy tablet computers for her classroom. The tablets she would like to buy cost $254.12
each, including tax and delivery. What is the maximum number of tablets Dawn can buy?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the maximum number of tablets Dawn can buy
Let n = the number of tablets.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. write a sentence that
gives the information to find it. $254.12 times the number of tablets is no
more than $4000.
Translate into an inequality. 254.12𝑛 ≤ 4000
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 𝑛 ≤ 15.74
But n must be a whole number of tablets,
so round to 15. 𝑛 ≤ 15
Rounding down the price to $250,
15 tablets would cost $3750, while
16 tablets would be $4000. So a
maximum of 15 tablets at $254.12
seems reasonable.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the answer in the problem the question with a
complete sentence. Dawn can buy a maximum of 15 tablets.
 Try It 3.6.5
Angie has $20 to spend on juice boxes for her son’s preschool picnic. Each pack of juice boxes costs $2.63. What is the maximum
number of packs she can buy?
Answer
seven packs
 Try It 3.6.6
Daniel wants to surprise his girlfriend with a birthday party at her favorite restaurant. It will cost $42.75 per person for dinner,
including tip and tax. His budget for the party is $500. What is the maximum number of people Daniel can have at the party?
Answer
11 people
 Example 3.6.7
Pete works at a computer store. His weekly pay will be either a fixed amount, $925, or $500 plus 12% of his total sales. How
much should his total sales be for his variable pay option to exceed the fixed amount of $925?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the total sales needed for his variable pay
option to exceed the fixed amount of $925
Let s = the total sales.
gives the information to find it. $500 plus 12% of total sales is more than $925.
Translate into an inequality. Remember to 500 + 0.12𝑠 > 925
convert the percent to a decimal.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 0.12𝑠 > 425

⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯
𝑠 > 3541.66
Rounding down the price to $250,
15 tablets would cost $3750, while
If we round the total sales up to
$4000, we see that
500+0.12(4000) = 980, which is more
than $925.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the the question with a complete sentence. The total sales must be more than $3541.67
 Try It 3.6.8
Tiffany just graduated from college and her new job will pay her $20000 per year plus 2% of all sales. She wants to earn at least
$100000 per year. For what total sales will she be able to achieve her goal?
Answer
at least $4000000
 Try It 3.6.9
Christian has been offered a new job that pays $24000 a year plus 3% of sales. For what total sales would this new job pay more
than his current job which pays $60000?
Answer
at least $1200000
 Example 3.6.10
Sergio and Lizeth have a very tight vacation budget. They plan to rent a car from a company that charges $75 a week plus $0.25
a mile. How many miles can they travel and still keep within their $200 budget?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the number of miles Sergio and Lizeth can travel
Let m = the number of miles.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. write a sentence that $75 plus 0.25 times the number of miles is
gives the information to find it. less than or equal to $200.
Translate into an inequality. 75 + 25𝑚 ≤ 200
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 0.25𝑚 ≤ 125
𝑚 ≤ 500 miles
Yes, 75 + 0.25(500) = 200.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the the question with a complete sentence. Sergio and Lizeth can travel 500 miles
and still stay on budget.
 Try It 3.6.11
Taleisha’s phone plan costs her $28.80 a month plus $0.20 per text message. How many text messages can she use and keep her
monthly phone bill no more than $50?
Answer
no more than 106 text messages
 Try It 3.6.12
Rameen’s heating bill is $5.42 per month plus $1.08 per therm. How many therms can Rameen use if he wants his heating bill to
be a maximum of $87.50?
Answer
no more than 76 therms
A common goal of most businesses is to make a profit. Profit is the money that remains when the expenses have been subtracted
from the money earned. In the next example, we will find the number of jobs a small businessman needs to do every month in order
to make a certain amount of profit.
 Example 3.6.13
Elliot has a landscape maintenance business. His monthly expenses are $1,100. If he charges $60 per job, how many jobs must
he do to earn a profit of at least $4,000 a month?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the number of jobs Elliot needs
Choose a variable to represent it Let j = the number of jobs.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. write a sentence that $60 times the number of jobs minus $1,100 is at least $4,000.
gives the information to find it. less than or equal to $200.
Translate into an inequality. 60𝑗 − 1100 ≥ 4000
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 60𝑗 ≥ 5100
𝑗 ≥ 85 jobs
If Elliot did 90 jobs, his profit would be
60(90)−1,100,or $4,300. This is
more than $4,000.
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the the question with a complete sentence. Elliot must work at least 85 jobs.
 Try It 3.6.14
Caleb has a pet sitting business. He charges $32 per hour. His monthly expenses are $2272. How many hours must he work in
order to earn a profit of at least $800 per month?
Answer
at least 96 hours
 Try It 3.6.15
Felicity has a calligraphy business. She charges $2.50 per wedding invitation. Her monthly expenses are $650. How many
invitations must she write to earn a profit of at least $2800 per month?
Answer
at least 1380 invitations
Sometimes life gets complicated! There are many situations in which several quantities contribute to the total expense. We must
make sure to account for all the individual expenses when we solve problems like this.
 Example 3.6.16
Brenda’s best friend is having a destination wedding and the event will last 3 days. Brenda has $500 in savings and can earn $15
an hour babysitting. She expects to pay $350 airfare, $375 for food and entertainment and $60 a night for her share of a hotel
room. How many hours must she babysit to have enough money to pay for the trip?
Solution
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 2. 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 what we are looking for. the number of hours Brenda must babysit
Choose a variable to represent that quantity. Let h = the number of hours.
gives the information to find it.
The expenses must be less than or equal to
the income. The cost of airfare plus the
cost of food and entertainment and the
hotel bill must be less than or equal to the savings
plus the amount earned babysitting.
Translate into an inequality. $350 + $375 + $60(3) ≤ $500 + $15ℎ
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 905 ≤ 500 + 15ℎ
405 ≤ 15ℎ
27 ≤ ℎ
ℎ ≥ 27
We substitute 27 into the inequality.
905 ≤ 500 + 15ℎ
905 ≤ 500 + 15(27)
905 ≤ 905
𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the the question with a complete sentence. Brenda must babysit at least 27 hours.
 Try It 3.6.17
Malik is planning a 6-day summer vacation trip. He has $840 in savings, and he earns $45 per hour for tutoring. The trip will
cost him $525 for airfare, $780 for food and sightseeing, and $95 per night for the hotel. How many hours must he tutor to have
enough money to pay for the trip?
Answer
at least 23 hours
 Try It 3.6.18
Josue wants to go on a 10-day road trip next spring. It will cost him $180 for gas, $450 for food, and $49 per night for a motel.
He has $520 in savings and can earn $30 per driveway shoveling snow. How many driveways must he shovel to have enough
money to pay for the trip?
Answer
at least 20 driveways
Key Concepts
Solving inequalities
1. Read the problem.
2. Identify what we are looking for.
3. Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
4. Translate. Write a sentence that gives the information to find it. Translate into an inequality.
5. Solve the inequality.
6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.
This page titled 3.6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or
curated by OpenStax via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is
available upon request.

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2024/3/31 10:17 3.

6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities - Mathematics LibreTexts

3.6: Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

Before you get started, take this readiness quiz.

Solve Applications with Linear Inequalities

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.

Choose a variable to represent that quantity.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 into an inequality.

Emma’s monthly income must be at least

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 5265 ≥ 3𝑟

Remember, 𝑎 > 𝑥 has the same meaning 1755 ≥ 𝑟

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 the answer in the problem

and make sure it makes sense.

A maximum rent of $1,755 seems

reasonable for an income of $5,265.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the answer in the problem the question with a

complete sentence. The maximum rent is $1,755.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.

Let n = the number of tablets.

Choose a variable to represent that quantity.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. write a sentence that

more than $4000.

Translate into an inequality. 254.12𝑛 ≤ 4000

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 𝑛 ≤ 15.74

But n must be a whole number of tablets,

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 the answer in the problem

and make sure it makes sense.

Rounding down the price to $250,

15 tablets would cost $3750, while

16 tablets would be $4000. So a

maximum of 15 tablets at $254.12

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 7. 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫 the answer in the problem the question with a

complete sentence. Dawn can buy a maximum of 15 tablets.

option to exceed the fixed amount of $925

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.

Let s = the total sales.

Choose a variable to represent that quantity.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 4. 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞. write a sentence that

Translate into an inequality. Remember to 500 + 0.12𝑠 > 925

convert the percent to a decimal.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 0.12𝑠 > 425

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 the answer in the problem

and make sure it makes sense.

Rounding down the price to $250,

15 tablets would cost $3750, while

If we round the total sales up to

$4000, we see that

500+0.12(4000) = 980, which is more

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.

Let m = the number of miles.

Choose a variable to represent that quantity.

gives the information to find it. less than or equal to $200.

Translate into an inequality. 75 + 25𝑚 ≤ 200

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 0.25𝑚 ≤ 125

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 6. 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 the answer in the problem

and make sure it makes sense.

Yes, 75 + 0.25(500) = 200.

and still stay on budget.

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 3. 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞 what we are looking for.

Choose a variable to represent it Let j = the number of jobs.

gives the information to find it. less than or equal to $200.

Translate into an inequality. 60𝑗 − 1100 ≥ 4000

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 5. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 the inequality. 60𝑗 ≥ 5100