Inequation

An inequation is a mathematical concept which represent two values



Example of how to Solve the inequality

Solve the inequality 2y - 1 < 5

Solution:

2y - 1 < 5

We have to treat < just like we treat = and first collect like terms

2y < 5 + 1

2y < 6

2y 2 < 6 2

Answer: y < 3

Example of inequality

Solve the inequality 3 2 n + 5 < 14

Solution:

3 2 n + 5 < 14

Collect like terms together and simplify

3 2 n < 14 - 5

3 2 n < 9 1

Cross muiltiply the values

3n < 9 × 2

3n < 18

3n 3 < 18 3

Answer: n < 6

Example in inequation

solve the inequation 1 - 2x x 2 - 9

1 - 2x x 2 - 9

collect like terms together

1 + 9 x 2 + 2x

10 x 2 + 2x

10 x 2 + 2x 1

10 1(x) + 2(2x) 2

10 x + 4x 2

10 5x 2

5x 10 × 2

5x 20

5x 5 20 5

Answer: x 4

Solve Linear Inequalities

Given that 5x - 3 < 7 find x

5x < 7 + 3

5x < 10

x 5 < 10 5

x < 2

Find the value of x from the following inequality 1 2 x + 3 7

1 2 x + 3 7

1 2 x 7 - 3

1 2 x 4

x 8

Find the value of x given the following inequality 9 - 3x - 3

9 - 3x - 3

- 3x - 3 - 9

- 3x - 12

- 3x - 3 - 12 - 3

x - 12 - 3

x 4

Point to note

When the answer of an inequality is a negative, the equating symbols must be changed. E.G: if its greater than it should be changed to less than or vice versa

How to Solve Compound Inequalities

Given the following inequality find its values 8 7x - 6 15

Firstly we will derive two expression from the above inequality

8 7x - 6 15

8 7x - 6 and 7x - 6 15

8 + 6 7x

14 7x

2 x

7x - 6 15

7x 15 + 6

7x 21

x 3

Therefore the values are 2 x 3

Find the values of the followig Compound inequality 7 4x + 3 < 31

7 4x + 3 < 31

7 4x + 3 and 4x + 3 < 31

7 4x + 3

7 - 3 4x

4 4x

1 x

4x + 3 < 31

4x < 31 - 3

4x < 28

x < 7

Therefore the values are: 1 x < 7