Solving and Graphing

Inequalities
Today’s Learning Goal
 We will be able to solve linear inequalities and
then graph their solution on a number line.
 x = 3½ x=
-2¾
Number Line
 In previous lessons, we often used number lines to help us visualize
problems involving numbers.

 For example, where would we locate the

number 3½ on the number line below?

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
x
-1 8
 Where would we locate the number -2¾ on the
number line?
Graphing Inequalities
on Number Lines x ≥
3½
 Instead of just graphing points on a number
line, we can also graph inequalities.
 For example, suppose we wanted to show on the x-axis
number line below all of the x-values that satisfied the
above inequality. What would we do?

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x
-1 8
 Notice that all of the x-values in the red region
satisfy the inequality x ≥ 3½ (including 3½).
Graphing Inequalities
on Number Lines x >
3½
 If we wanted to show all of the x-values that
satisfy the above inequality, what would have
to be eliminated from the red region below?
Good…we would have to eliminate 3½ as a
point that satisfies the inequality.

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 x
 -1 that 3½ is not included
To show 8 in the solution set to this
inequality, we use an un-shaded circle.

 A solution to an inequality is any point in the shaded region

because these values satisfy the inequality.
 Graphing Inequalities
 For each of the following inequalities, state how you would graph the
solution on the given number lines:

a) x ≤ b) x > 0 c) x <
-2¾ -4.2
- - - - 0 1 2 3 4 - - - - 0 1 2 3 4 - - - - - - - 0 1
4 3 2 1 4 3 2 1 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For this, you use a For this, you use For this, you use
shaded (closed) an un-shaded an open circle for
circle for the (open) circle for the endpoint
endpoint because the endpoint because -4.2 is
it is included in the because 0 is NOT included in
inequality. NOT included in the inequality.
Solving Inequalities
Now consider the inequality at

the right. -x + 4 <
12 -4 -4
 To determine all of the values of x -x < 8
that make the inequality true, we
would solve it just as if it were a
regular equation.

 What would you do first?

Great…subtract 4 from both
 sides.is the resulting equation?
What
 - -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
10

Solving Inequalities
 What would you do next -x + 4 <
to solve the inequality? 12 -4 -4
Nice…divide both sides -x < 8
÷- ÷-

.
opp
by -1.
But, when we multiply or divide both . opp opp

1 x >1-8 .
sides of inequalities, we are basically
taking the opposite of everything. So,
we need to take the opposite of the
inequality sign too!

 How would we graph the solution to this

inequality on the number line above?
 - -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
10

Solving Inequalities
 If we take any number within the -x + 4 <
shaded region, it should satisfy 12 -4 -4
the original inequality.
-x < 8
÷- ÷-
 Suppose we plugged -7 into the 1 x >1-8
original inequality. Does it
make the inequality true?
?
-(-7) + 4 <
12
7+4<
12

It
 - -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
10

Solving Inequalities
 If we take any number outside the -x + 4 <
shaded region, it should NOT satisfy 12 -4 -4
the original inequality.
-x < 8
÷- ÷-
 Suppose we plugged -9 into the 1 x >1-8
original inequality. Does it
make the inequality true?
?
-(-9) + 4 <
12
9+4<
12
 - -9 -8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
10

Solving Inequalities
 If we plugged -8 into the original inequality, -x + 4 <
will it be a solution?
12 -4 -4
-x < 8
No…-8 is not within the ÷- ÷-
shaded region. So, it will 1 x >1-8
not be less than 12.
8+4=
12
 The endpoint will be when it is equal (an
equation instead of an inequality).
Solving Inequalities
 Let’s take a look at -3(x – 4) ≥ 2(x –
another example: 4)
-3x+ ≥ 2x – 8
 Again, to solve an 12
inequality, you would treat
it as if it were an equation.
What would you do first?
Yes…use the distributive
property to simplify it.
 What would be the resulting inequality?
Solving Inequalities
 To combine the x-terms, -3(x – 4) ≥ 2(x –
suppose we added 3x to 4)
-3x+ ≥ 2x – 8
both sides. What is the +3x12 +3x
resulting inequality?
What would you do next?
1 ≥ 5x – 8
+8 +8


2
Nice…add 8 to both 2 ≥ 5x

sides.
What is the resulting inequality? ÷05 ÷ 5

 What would you do last to

solve the inequality?
Perfect…divide both sides by
5.
 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Solving Inequalities
 Would you have to change the -3(x – 4) ≥ 2(x –
inequality sign to the opposite
in this problem when dividing4)
-3x+ ≥ 2x – 8
by 5? +3x12 +3x
1 ≥ 5x – 8
No…you only change the sign of the +8 +8
2
inequality to the opposite when you are
2 ≥ 5x
multiplying or dividing both sides by a ÷05 ÷ 5
negative number because negative
means opposite! 4 ≥ x
 How would we graph the
solution to this inequality on the
number line above?
 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Solving Inequalities
 If we take any number within the-3(x – 4) ≥ 2(x –
shaded region, it should satisfy4)
the original inequality. -3x+ ≥ 2x – 8
+3x12 +3x
 Suppose we plugged -3 into the 1 ≥ 5x – 8
original inequality. Does it +8
2 +8
make the inequality true? 2 ≥ 5x
? ÷05 ÷ 5
-3(-3 – 4) ≥ 2(-3 – 4)
4 ≥ x
21 ≥ -14

It
 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Solving Inequalities
 If we plug 4 into the original -3(x – 4) ≥ 2(x –
inequality, what will be true of 4)
both sides of the inequality? -3x+ ≥ 2x – 8
+3x12 +3x
Exactly…both sides will be 1 ≥ 5x – 8
equal because it is the +8
2 +8
endpoint. 2 ≥ 5x
? ÷05 ÷ 5
-3(4 – 4) ≥ 2(4 – 4)
4 ≥ x
0=0

It
Partner Work
 You have 20 minutes to work on the following
questions with your partner.
For those that finish early
 Solve each of the following inequalities. Then
check your solution by plugging in the
endpoint, a point to the left of the endpoint,
and a point to the right of the endpoint.

1) 5(2h – 6) – 7(h + 7) >

4h
2) 3 – 3(b – 2) < 13 – 3(b – 6)

3) 5b + 8 < 3b
3
Big Ideas from Today’s
Lesson
 You can solve inequalities the same way that you
solved equations.
 However, if you are multiplying or dividing by a
negative amount on both sides of an equation, you
must take the opposite of the inequality sign.
Homework
 Pgs. 321 – 322 (14 – 19, 40 – 45)
 Pg. 335 (17 – 33 odds)