This activity is about solving inequalities.
Inequalities will give you a range of answers for an unknown which could be greater than (>), greater than or equal to (≥), less than (<), less than or equal to (≤).
They are solved in the same way as equations, either by working backwards doing inverses, or carrying out the same operation to each side.
For example:
4x - 6 > 26
Solve it exactly as if it were an equals sign.
Add 6 to both sides:
4x - 6 + 6 > 26 + 6
4x > 32
Divide both sides by 4:
x > 8
So, we know that x > 8
Just one operation needs care - multiplying or dividing each side by a negative number will reverse the inequality sign.
This can be illustrated as follows:
We know that 10 > 4
Multiplying each side by -2 gives -20 > -8
This is obviously NOT TRUE
Reversing the sign makes it correct -20 < -8
Let's have a go at some questions now.