6.
1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line
Objectives:
-Solve and graph linear inequalities.
Common Core Standards:
[Link].1 - Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use
them to solve problems.
[Link].3 - Solve linear equations and inequalities in one variable,
including equations with coefficients represented by letters.
[Link].3 - Represent constraints by equations or inequalities, and by
systems of equations and/or inequalities, and interpret solutions as
viable or nonviable options in a modeling context.
Inequalities
Symbol Graphing Dot Meaning
> "is greater than"
< "is less than"
≥ "is greater than or equal to"
≤ "is less than or equal to"
Recognizing a Pattern
Inequalities that have "or equal to" have part of an equal sign in the symbol. The symbols that
have lines have a closed dot when graphing.
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
Graphing Inequalities
-Always label zero on the number line.
-Place the correct graphing dot and label the number in the appropriate location.
-Draw an arrow toward where the true solutions are.
"x is greater than or equal to 5" "x is greater than 5"
Graph x ≥ 5 Graph x > 5
"the solutions are greater than or equal to 5" "the solutions are greater than 5"
> >
(
< |
0
(
|
5
> <
0
| |
5
>
> >
< | | > < | | >
0 5 0 5
< | | >>
0 5
Why is this not a good representation?
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
-Solving inequalities is just like solving an equation. Treat the inequality symbol like an equal
sign, and solve.
-After solving, make sure the variable is placed on the left hand side so the solution reads like a
sentence.
-Then, graph the inequality.
m-9<2 4x > 12
+9 +9 4 4
"m is less than 11" "x is greater than 3"
m < 11 "the solutions are less than 11"
x>3 "the solutions are greater than 3"
< >
(
)
< | | > < | | >
0 11 0 3
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
3≥c+5 3+x>4
-5 -5 -3 -3
-2 ≥ c REWRITE!
"x is greater than 1"
x>1
"the solutions are greater than 1"
"c is less than or equal to -2"
c ≤ -2
"the solutions are less than or equal to -2"
< >
(
)
< | | > < | | >
-2 0 0 1
Recognizing a Pattern
When solving algebraically, if the variable is placed correctly on the left hand side at the end,
the inequality symbol will point in the same direction as the graphical answer.
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
x
2 > -5 2y - 3 ≤ -3
x
2•( 2
> -5) +3 +3
2y ≤ 0
"x is greater than -10"
x > -10 2 2
"the solutions are greater than -10"
"y is less than or equal to 0"
y≤0
"the solutions are less than or equal to 0"
< <
)
)
< | | > < | >
-10 0 0
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
-If the variable has a negative coefficient, you must flip the inequality sign when you complete
the operation of getting the variable by itself!
-Simple Version: If you multiply or divide by a negative, you must flip the inequality sign!
-8k ≥ 16 -2x + 6 < 2
FLIP SIGN!
-8 -8 -6 -6
-2x < -4
"k is less than or equal to -2" FLIP SIGN!
k ≤ -2 "the solutions are less than or equal to -2"
-2 -2
x>2 "x is greater than 2"
"the solutions are greater than 2"
< >
(
)
< | | > < | | >
-2 0 0 2
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
2 r
-1 < 9 + 3
g - 3
≤ -5
r
-9 -9 -3 • (- 3
≤ -5) FLIP SIGN!
2
-10 < 3
g
2
"r is greater than or equal to 15"
3 • (-10 < 3
g) r ≥ 15
"the solutions are greater than or equal to 15"
-30 < 2g
2 2
>
(
-15 < g REWRITE!
< | | >
"g is greater than -15"
0 15
g > -15
"the solutions are greater than -15"
<
)
Attending to Precision:
< | | > How is rewriting the problem different from flipping the
sign? What situations do you use each one in?
-15 0
Rewriting: Used when the variable is on the wrong side.
The entire problem is flipped.
Flipping: Used when you multiply or divide by a negative.
Only the inequality symbol is flipped.
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
Checking Your Answer
It is easy to check if your answer and graph is correct. Pick a number on the number line that is
under your arrow (you've declared it is a solution). Plug that into the original problem and see if
you get a true statement!
If you get a false statement, your graph is incorrect! (If your graph appears to be correct, the
algebraic answer may be incorrect!)
Original: 3x - 12 < 0
Check: Let x = -6
Answer: x < -4 3(-6) - 13 < 0
-18 - 13 < 0
-31 < 0 True
Graph: <
)
< | | > Everything appears to be correct!
-4 0
Solve and graph the following inequalities.
6x - 3 < 7 + 4x 2(x - 4) ≤ 6
+3 +3 2x - 8 ≤ 6
6x < 10 + 4x +8 +8
-4x -4x 2x ≤ 14
2x < 10 2 2
2 2
"x is less than or equal to 7"
x≤7
"the solutions are less than or equal to 7"
"x is less than 2"
x<5
"the solutions are less than 2"
< <
)
)
< | | > < | | >
0 5 0 7
6.1 Solve and Graph Inequalities on a Number Line Chapter 6
Solve and graph the following inequalities. (Variables on two sides)
Recall: True (All Solutions) and False (No Solution)
x+4>x+2 2b - 1 < -2 + 2b
-x -x -2b -2b
4>2 True -1 < -2 False
All Solutions No Solution
< >
< | > < | >
0 0
Error Analysis
Julie and Jamie are solving 6d ≥ -84. Are either of them correct? Explain your reasoning.
Julie Jamie
6d ≥ -84 6d ≥ -84
6d ≥ -84 6d ≥ -84
6 6 6 6
d ≥ -14 d ≤ -14
Julie is correct. They are not dividing by a negative number, so
there is no need to flip the inequality sign.