1.
6: Solve Linear
Inequalities
I can:
Solve a linear and/or compound inequality and graph the
solution set.
Manipulate a formula to solve for a particular variable.
Key Vocabulary
• Linear Inequality
• Compound Inequality
• Equivalent Inequalities
Linear Inequality
• Can be written in one of the following forms where a and b are
real numbers and a does not equal 0.
Compound Inequality
• Consists of two simple inequalities joined by “and” or “or”
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2
Graph the inequality.
1. x > – 5
The solutions are all real numbers greater than 5.
An open dot is used in the graph to indicate – 5 is
not a solution.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2
Graph the inequality.
2. x ≤ 3
The solutions are all real numbers less than or
equal to 3.
A closed dot is used in the graph to indicate 2 is a
solution.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2
Graph the inequality.
3. – 3 ≤ x < 1
The solutions are all real numbers that are greater
than or equalt to – 3 and less than 1.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 1 and 2
Graph the inequality.
4. x < 1 or x ≥ 2
The solutions are all real numbers that are less than 1
or greater than or equal to 2.
Why?
• Near the end of the semester or school year, I have students
ask me what scores they must get on a final in order to earn
a particular grade. You can use linear inequalities to
answer this question.
• You budgeted x amount of dollars for movies. You have
already spend $50 of the amount. You can use inequalities
to determine staying under budget or reaching your
budgeted target.
Equivalent Inequalities
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
5. 4x + 9 < 25
4x + 9 < 25 Write original inequality.
4x < 16 Subtract 9 from each side.
x<4 Divide each side by 4.
6. 1 – 3x ≥ – 14
1 – 3x ≥ – 14 Write original inequality.
– 3x ≥ – 15 Subtract –1 from each side.
x≤5
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 3 and 4
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
7. 5x – 7 ≤ 6x
5x – 7 ≤ 6x Write original inequality.
x>–7 Subtract 5x from each side.
8. 3 – x > x – 9
3–x>x–9 Write original inequality.
3 – 2x > – 9 Subtract x from each side.
– 2x > – 12 Subtract 3 from each side.
x<6 Divide each side by –2 and reverse.
EXAMPLE 6 Solve an “or” compound inequality
Solve 3x + 5 ≤11 or 5x – 7 ≥ 23 . Then graph the solution.
SOLUTION
A solution of this compound inequality is a solution of
either of its parts.
First Inequality Second Inequality
3x + 5 ≤ 11Write first inequality. 5x – 7 ≥ 23 Write second inequality.
3x ≤ 6 Subtract 5 from each side. 5x ≥ 30 Add 7 to each side.
x ≤ 2 Divide each side by 3. x ≥ 6 Divide each side by 5.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6, and 7
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
9. – 1 < 2x + 7 < 19
– 1 < 2x + 7 < 19 Write original inequality.
– 1– 7 < 2x + 7 – 7 < 19 – 7 Subtract 7 from each expression.
– 8 < 2x < 12 Simplify.
–4<x<6 Divide each expression by 2.
ANSWER
The solutions are all real numbers greater than – 4
and less than 6.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6 and 7
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
10. – 8 ≤– x – 5 ≤ 6
–8 ≤–x–5≤ 6 Write original inequality.
– 8+5 ≤ – x – 5 + 5 ≤ 6 + 5 Add 5 to each expression.
– 3 ≤ – x ≤ 11
– 11 ≤ x ≤ 3 Simplify.
ANSWER
The solutions are all real numbers greater than and
equal to – 11 and less than and equal to 3.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6 and 7
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
11. x + 4 ≤ 9 or x – 3 ≥ 7
SOLUTION
A solution of this compound inequality is a solution of
either of its parts.
First Inequality Second Inequality
x + 4 ≤ 9 Write first inequality. x – 3 ≥ 7 Write second inequality.
x ≤ 5 Subtract 4 from each side. x ≥ 10 Add 3 to each side.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6 and 7
ANSWER
The graph is shown below. The solutions are all real
numbers.
less than or equal to 5 or greater than or equal to 10.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6 and 7
Solve the inequality. Then graph the solution.
12. 3x – 1 < – 1 or 2x + 5 ≥ 11
SOLUTION
A solution of this compound inequality is a solution of
either of its parts.
First Inequality Second Inequality
3x – 1< – 1Write first inequality. 2x + 5 ≥ 11 Write second inequality.
3x ≤ 0 Add 1 each side . 2x ≥ 6 Subtract 5 from each side
x ≤ 0 Divide each side by 3. x ≥ 3 Divide each side by 5.
GUIDED PRACTICE for Examples 5,6 and 7
ANSWER
The graph is shown below. The solutions are all real
numbers.
less than 0 or greater than or equal to 3.
