What can we do to isolate a variable in an inequality? Graph both inequalities.
Practice makes perfect
We want to graph the numbers that are solutions of both given inequalities.
w+5 ≥ 8
4w > 20
We can do this by solving both inequalities and graphing them on a number line. Inequalities can be solved in the same way as equations — by performing inverse operations on both sides until the variable is isolated. The only difference is that when we divide or multiply by a negative number, we must reverse the inequality sign. Let's start with the first inequality!
We found that all values of w greater than or equal to 3 will satisfy the first inequality. Now let’s graph the inequality on a number line. Since w can equal 3, we draw a closed circle at this point. We know that w is all values greater than or equal to 3, so we will shade the part of the number line that represents numbers greater than 3. This means that we shade to the right of our point at 3, including 3 with the closed circle.
Now we can solve the second inequality and graph its solution. Let's do it!
We found that all values of w greater than 5 will satisfy the inequality. Now let’s graph the inequality on a number line. Since w cannot equal 5, we draw an open circle at this point. We know that w is all values greater than 5, so we will shade the part of the number line that represents numbers greater than 3. This means that we shade to the right of our point at 3.
We have solved both inequalities. Let's graph both solutions on the same number line. Any number in the region that is shaded by both inequalities is a solution to both inequalities. Let's see the graph!
As we can see, the numbers greater than 5 are included in the solution set of both inequalities. Let's shade just this region to show the numbers that solve both inequalities. Remember to use an open circle at 5! This means that we shade to the right of our point at 5.
