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Solving Linear Inequalities Guide

This document provides examples and practice problems for solving linear inequalities. It discusses key points such as using similar methods as linear equations to solve inequalities and reversing inequality signs when multiplying or dividing by a negative number. Examples are provided showing the step-by-step work of solving various linear inequalities. Practice problems are then given for students to solve along with answers. The document concludes with an example of solving a compound inequality.

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Elsa Xu
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165 views3 pages

Solving Linear Inequalities Guide

This document provides examples and practice problems for solving linear inequalities. It discusses key points such as using similar methods as linear equations to solve inequalities and reversing inequality signs when multiplying or dividing by a negative number. Examples are provided showing the step-by-step work of solving various linear inequalities. Practice problems are then given for students to solve along with answers. The document concludes with an example of solving a compound inequality.

Uploaded by

Elsa Xu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Linear inequalities

A LEVEL LINKS
Scheme of work: 1d. Inequalities – linear and quadratic (including graphical solutions)

Key points
 Solving linear inequalities uses similar methods to those for solving linear equations.
 When you multiply or divide an inequality by a negative number you need to reverse the
inequality sign, e.g. < becomes >.

Examples
Example 1 Solve −8 ≤ 4x < 16

−8 ≤ 4x < 16 Divide all three terms by 4.


−2 ≤ x < 4

Example 2 Solve 4 ≤ 5x < 10

4 ≤ 5x < 10 Divide all three terms by 5.


4
5 ≤x<2

Example 3 Solve 2x − 5 < 7

2x − 5 < 7 1 Add 5 to both sides.


2x < 12 2 Divide both sides by 2.
x<6

Example 4 Solve 2 − 5x ≥ −8

2 − 5x ≥ −8 1 Subtract 2 from both sides.


−5x ≥ −10 2 Divide both sides by −5.
x≤2 Remember to reverse the inequality
when dividing by a negative
number.

Example 5 Solve 4(x − 2) > 3(9 − x)

4(x − 2) > 3(9 − x) 1 Expand the brackets.


4x − 8 > 27 − 3x 2 Add 3x to both sides.
7x − 8 > 27 3 Add 8 to both sides.
7x > 35 4 Divide both sides by 7.
x>5
Practice
1 Solve these inequalities.
a 4x > 16 b 5x – 7 ≤ 3 c 1 ≥ 3x + 4
x x
5
d 5 – 2x < 12 e 2 f 8<3– 3

2 Solve these inequalities.


x
 4
a 5 b 10 ≥ 2x + 3 c 7 – 3x > –5

3 Solve
a 2 – 4x ≥ 18 b 3 ≤ 7x + 10 < 45 c 6 – 2x ≥ 4
d 4x + 17 < 2 – x e 4 – 5x < –3x f –4x ≥ 24

4 Solve these inequalities.


a 3t + 1 < t + 6 b 2(3n – 1) ≥ n + 5

5 Solve.
a 3(2 – x) > 2(4 – x) + 4 b 5(4 – x) > 3(5 – x) + 2

Extend
6 Find the set of values of x for which 2x + 1 > 11 and 4x – 2 > 16 – 2x.
Answers
1 a x>4 b x≤2 c x ≤ –1
7
d x>–2 e x ≥ 10 f x < –15

2 a x < –20 b x ≤ 3.5 c x<4

3 a x ≤ –4 b –1 ≤ x < 5 c x≤1
d x < –3 e x>2 f x ≤ –6

5 7
4 a t< 2 b n≥ 5

3
5 a x < –6 b x< 2

6 x > 5 (which also satisfies x > 3)

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