Two-step Inequalities and Their Applications

This lecture series provides examples of two-step inequalities and their applications. Watch the videos and complete the interactive exercises.

Two-step inequalities - Questions

Answers

1. x > 4

Let’s start by subtracting 2 from both sides of the inequality:

8 x+2 > 34

8 x+2-2 > 34-2

8 x > 32

Next, let's divide both sides by 8:

8 x > 32

\frac{8 x}{8} > \frac{32}{8}

x > 4

The solution set of the inequality is x > 4.


2. C.

Let’s start by subtracting 18 from both sides of the inequality:

5 a+18 < -27

5 a+18-18 < -27-18

5 a < -45

To isolate a, we need to divide both sides by 5.

5 a < -45

\frac{5 a}{5} < \frac{-45}{5}

a < -9

To graph the inequality a < -9, we first draw a circle at -9. This circle divides the number line into two sections: one that contains solutions to the inequality and one that does not.

Since the solution uses a less than sign, the solution does not include the point where a= - 9. So the circle at -9 is not filled in.

Because the solution to the inequality says that a < -9, this means that solutions are numbers to the left of -9.

The graph that represents the solution of the inequality a < -9 is shown in Pink:


3. C.

Let’s start by adding 11 to both sides of the inequality:

-11-2 d \geq 1

 -11+11-2 d \geq 1+11

-2 d \geq 12

To isolate d we need to divide both sides by -2:

-2 d \geq 12

 \frac{-2 d}{-2} \leq \frac{12}{-2}

d \leq-6

To graph the inequality d \leq-6, we first draw a circle at -6. This circle divides the number line into two sections: one that contains solutions to the inequality and one that does not.

Since the solution uses a less than or equal to sign, the solution includes the point where d = -6. So the circle at -6 is filled in.

Because the solution to the inequality says that d \leq-6, this means that solutions are numbers to the left of -6.

The graph that represents the solution of the inequality d \leq-6, is shown Pink:


4. x > -\frac{7}{3}

Let’s start by subtracting 8 from both sides of the inequality:

-3 x+8 < 15

-3 x+8-8 < 15-8

-3 x < 7

Next, let's divide both sides by -3.When you divide an inequality by a negative number, the inequality sign must be reversed.

-3 x < 7

\frac{-3 x}{-3} > \frac{7}{-3}

x > -\frac{7}{3}

The solution set of the inequality is x > -\frac{7}{3}.


5. x \geq-10

Let’s start by subtracting 13 from both sides of the inequality:

5 x+13 \geq-37

 5 x+13-13 \geq-37-13

5 x \geq-50

Next, let's divide both sides by 5:

5 x \geq-50

\frac{5 x}{5} \geq \frac{-50}{5}

x \geq-10

The solution set of the inequality is:

x \geq-10.


6. D.

Let’s start by adding 15 to both sides of the inequality:

12 b-15 > 21

12 b-15+15 > 21+15

12 b > 36

To isolate b, we need to divide both sides by 12:

12 b > 36

\frac{12 b}{12} > \frac{36}{12}

b > \frac{36}{12}

b > 3

To graph the inequality b > 3, we first draw a circle at 3. This circle divides the number line into two sections: one that contains solutions to the inequality and one that does not.

Since the solution uses a greater than sign, the solution does not include the point where b=3, So the circle at 3 is not filled in.

Because the solution to the inequality says that b > 3, this means that solutions are numbers to the right of 3.

The graph that represents the solution of the inequality b > 3, is shown in Red:


7. A.

Let’s start by adding 15 to both sides of the inequality:

-3 b-15 > -24

-3 b-15+15 > -24+15

-3 b > -9

To isolate b, we need to divide both sides by -3. When you divide an inequality by a negative number, the inequality sign must be reversed.

-3 b > -9

\frac{-3 b}{-3} < \frac{-9}{-3}

b < 3

To graph the inequality b < 3, we first draw a circle at 3. This circle divides the number line into two sections: one that contains solutions to the inequality and one that does not.

Since the solution uses a less than sign, the solution does not include the point where b=3. So the circle at 3 is not filled in.

Because the solution to the inequality says that b < 3, this means that solutions are numbers to the left of 3.

The graph that represents the solution of the inequality b < 3 is shown in Blue: